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April 13, 2020 — Volume 19, Issue 15 |
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| This Week's Top Stories |
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Last week, the Association released a white paper titled Recommended Practices for Airport Sponsors and Commercial Aviation Businesses in Addressing Leasehold Issues in Response to COVID-19. In the wake of the COVID-19 public health emergency, airports and commercial aeronautical businesses, along with the entire global aviation industry, are confronted with operational revenue challenges, issues with employee job retention, and financial uncertainty at a level the industry has never experienced. NATA recognizes that a majority of airport sponsors are public agencies that have both the challenge to maintain self-sustaining operations, as well as complex revenue streams intended to preserve the valuable services and jobs that the airport and aviation industry provides to their communities. “We urge airport sponsors and tenant businesses to work together to determine the best path forward for each community to continue to allow the airport to act as a base of recovery and their tenant businesses to provide valuable services and serve as pipelines for employment,” added Obitts.
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DOT and FAA to Host a CARES Act Airport Grants Program Briefing for Airport Sponsors and Aviation Stakeholders - New FAQs Available
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The Department of Transportation (DOT) will provide approximately $10 billion in economic relief to U.S. airports as part of the CARES Act Airport Grants Program (Coronavirus, Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act). The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will administer the grants program. Tomorrow at 12PM EDT, join the DOT and FAA for a listen-only teleconference to be informed on the implementation process of the CARES Act program.
Hear from DOT Secretary Elaine L. Chao, FAA Associate Administrator for Airports Kirk Shaffer, FAA Deputy Associate Administrator for Airports Winsome Lenfert, and Director of Airport Planning and Programming Robert Craven.
Please follow this guidance to avoid network congestion and connectivity issues.
The FAA has released an updated CARES Act Airport Grants – FAQs. The document now addresses questions related to Allocation Formulas; Grant Application, Agreements and Invoicing; Use of Funds; Environmental Review; and Administration Under the State Block Grant Program.
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Treasury Announces It Will Not Require Small Passenger Air Carriers to Offer Financial Instruments in Exchange for Payroll Support
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Last Friday, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin announced that small passenger air carriers with payroll under $100 million would not be required to provide financial instruments as appropriate compensation for assistance received pursuant to the CARES Act, Title IV, Subpart B, Air Carrier Worker Support Program. “We thank Secretary Mnuchin and his excellent staff for hearing the concerns of NATA membership whose aviation businesses have been hard hit by the pandemic. We appreciate their consideration of the diverse and unique nature of Part 135 operators and work to expedite relief to the employees of these vital and essential American companies. We look forward to continuing to work with the Secretary and his staff to provide similar relief for small businesses that are Part 135 air cargo operators and other aviation businesses, including FBOs that provide ground handling services to the commercial airlines, who have filed applications for relief under the same Subpart B of the CARES Act,” said NATA President and CEO Timothy Obitts. For passenger air carriers with payroll support payments up to $100 million, funds will be available promptly upon approval of their applications. The majority of these requests seek less than $10 million. Due to the small size of the awards, and not needing to conduct negotiations over financial instruments, Treasury anticipates being able to distribute the funds. Read more.
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Online Loan Application Form for Air Carriers and Certain Eligible Businesses Now Available from Treasury
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Last Thursday, NATA made members aware of a development in the application for relief for air carriers and certain eligible businesses under the CARES Act. The application can be found directly on the Treasury’s website. “This application is for loans from the U.S. Department of the Treasury to (1) passenger air carriers; (2) cargo air carriers; (3) eligible businesses that are certified under 14 CFR part 145 and approved to perform inspection, repair, replacement, or overhaul services (‘Part-145 certified repair station operators’); and (4) ticket agents as defined in 49 U.S.C. § 40102 (‘ticket agents’) (collectively, ‘Borrowers’).”
Further, the Treasury highlights that “Applications received after 5:00 p.m. EDT on April 17 will be considered, but may not receive approval as quickly. Applications received after 11:59 p.m. EDT on April 30, 2020, may not be considered, but the Secretary of the Treasury may, in his discretion and subject to the availability of funds, consider such applications for approval.” Read more.
NATA is committed to supporting the business aviation industry through these trying times. For more information about resources that may be available to you, please visit NATA's Coronavirus Resource Page.
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| Association Highlights: |
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Operators Should Contact Their Insurance Underwriter or Broker Before Operating Under COVID-19 Provisions and Exemptions
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In the past few weeks, several provisions and exemptions for operations during the COVID-19 pandemic have been outlined by the FAA and other issuing agencies. NATA strongly recommends that any operator or business intending on utilizing these regulatory provisions, including those addressing pilot medical certificate recurrency, employee furlough, parked airplanes, and others, please contact your underwriter or broker to ensure these provisions comply with insurance requirements. NATA has been in constant contact with the FAA and other agencies on additional provisions, which we may soon see in the form of an sFAR, allowing for continued operations in this challenging environment. We urge aviation businesses to continue to communicate with your insurance underwriter as these provisions become available.
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AIN has released the results of its 2020 FBO Survey! NATA would like to congratulate all of our members and Safety 1st users recognized in the survey whose exemplary service makes the business aviation industry such a positive and uplifting community. We are pleased to see so many companies in the NATA community leading the way for the industry. AIN has been conducting these surveys since 1981, asking about the service that FBOs provide their customers and reporting those results. AIN readers were asked to evaluate the FBOs they visited the previous year in five categories: line service, passenger amenities, pilot amenities, facilities, and customer service representatives. The scores in this report reflect the cumulative average of scores from 2013 through today. Only the most recent rating of an FBO is counted on a per-user basis and only FBOs that have received 30 or more ratings are eligible for their scores to be published. AIN’s FBO survey is now open for year-round feedback. It takes only a minute, and you can do it while waiting for passengers, on the shuttle bus to/from the hotel or any other time that is convenient for you. Log on to www.ainonline.com/fbosurvey to rate your experiences at the FBOs you visit.
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NATA Releases COVID-19: Guidance for General Aviation Fuel Providers
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Last week, NATA’s GA Fuel Handling Subcommittee of its Safety Committee launched guidance on mitigating issues associated with “low use” refueling equipment amidst the current COVID-19 health crisis, including:
- Microbial growth in filter vessels and other parts of fuel delivery systems (tanks and piping) - Increased water production in fuel tanks with low volumes - Fuel left static in hoses will change color and possibly be drawn off-specification This document is intended to supplement the guidance of fuel suppliers, OEMs, or any other superseding fuel quality standard.
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WEBINAR RECORDING: Operating in Today’s Part 135 Regulatory Environment
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The recording of NATA’s “Implementing FAA Pilot Exemption (18510) for part 135 Operations” webinar is now available. The main topic of this webinar was to explores strategies for performing and documenting the required safety risk assessment/safety analysis and corresponding mitigation strategies for use of the 18510 exemption. This webinar was hosted by NATA’s Air Charter Committee and led by NATA Vice President of Regulatory Affairs John McGraw and NATA Senior Advisor Jacqueline Rosser. Click here to view the recording of this webinar. If you have ideas for future webinar topics or would like to speak to NATA about hosting a webinar for your State or Regional group, please email Ryan Waguespack at ryanw@nata.aero.
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View the April Edition of the Aviation Medical Bulletin
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The Aviation Medical Bulletin has been published since 1969 by Harvey Watt & Co., the Program Administrator for NATA’s Air Charter Services. This well-known monthly health newsletter is filled with up-to-date, helpful health and medical information drawn from many of the world's most respected medical authorities and literature. This month’s edition touches on: - Diet and Alzheimer’s - Back Pain - Harmless Habits? As a reminder, during this pandemic, the Aviation Medical Bulletin has produced periodic Special Editions as often as multiple times a week informing readers of time-sensitive medical updates and warnings from the Centers for Disease and Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) regarding COVID-19. Updates include the current status of the virus, updated infection statistics, new information regarding the spread of this infection, new knowledge on how it is transmitted, and what you can do to protect yourself, fellow crewmembers, and family.
The most recent edition can be read, in full, here.
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Get the Latest Updates on Shipping and Freight Loads from Partnership, NATA’s Member Shipping Program
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While you’ve been burdened with adjusting to the new normal that the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has created, know that PartnerShip is committed to supporting you and keeping your shipments moving. View the latest service updates: - Service guarantees for all UPS Freight LTL services from and to all locations are suspended, with the exception of UPS Freight Urgent Services. Read more. - UPS Freight is prioritizing freight that is deemed essential in areas impacted the most by COVID-19. - All YRC Worldwide companies, including YRC, Holland, New Penn, and Reddaway, have suspended reimbursement for service failures on both guaranteed and time-critical shipments. Read more. - FedEx is suspending its Money Back Guarantee and has adjusted signature guidelines. Read more. - UPS has suspended the UPS Service Guarantee for all shipments. Read more. Effective April 6, FedEx has implemented a temporary surcharge on all FedEx Express and TNT international parcel and freight shipments. Read more.
PartnerShip, NATA's trusted Member Shipping Program provider, is constantly updating its resource page for members. Check back to find the newest shipping information as it becomes available at www.partnership.com/blog/post/coronavirus-update.
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NATACS Anti-Drug and Alcohol Misuse Prevention Program Management
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NATA Compliance Services (NATACS) can help manage your Anti-Drug and Alcohol Misuse Prevention Program. They are dedicated to helping clients develop programs that provide accurate, fast and reliable solutions for a safe and compliant drug-free workplace. Acting as your Third-Party Administrator (TPA), NATACS is your One Stop Solution for your drug and alcohol program needs including company policy templates, program set-up, assistance with regulations, and administration. If you are interested in learning more about NATACs’ Anti-Drug and Alcohol Misuse Prevention Program Management Services, they offer a free Drug Program Manager webinar. To register for the next webinar, click here!
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| Membership Spotlight: |
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Dassault Offers Falcons for France's COVID-19 Fight
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In support of the French government’s efforts to stem the Covid-19 outbreak, Dassault Falcon Service (DFS) has provided two of its business jets to the French Defense Ministry to supply logistics and medical support for civilian coronavirus control activities. The aircraft—a Falcon 8X and Falcon 900—carry 15 and 13 passengers respectively and are operated by DFS, the manufacturer’s maintenance and flight operations support subsidiary based at Le Bourget Airport. DFS also provides the flight crews.
The two business jets are being used as part of Operation Resilience, and the first mission took place on April 5, carrying a team of 26 doctors and medical personnel from Brest to Paris. Depending on the needs of the government, one or both of the aircraft—which can land at small airports in all weather, without the need for ground infrastructure—are available to the French Air Force’s Air Defense and Air Operations Command for the transport of medical teams and equipment throughout France and across the globe. Read more.
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