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May 4, 2020 — Volume 19, Issue 18 |
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| This Week's Top Stories |
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Last Wednesday, the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) applauded a comprehensive Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rulemaking package in the form of a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR), addressing a number of its requests for provisions to allow aviation businesses to continue to operate during COVID-19.Today, the FAA released the final version.
“We were pleased to see the release of this SFAR in recognition of operational challenges during this crisis and appreciate that the FAA listened to NATA and the industry in providing this relief,” stated NATA President and CEO Timothy Obitts. “NATA and our members would like to acknowledge the amazing work of the FAA in issuing a rulemaking of this scale in such a short amount of time. We will continue to work with the FAA to communicate the needs of our members now, in the coming days as new challenges are identified, and in the future when restrictions begin to be lifted.”
NATA will follow up with its members on specifics of the SFAR that apply to their operations. If you have any questions, please email NATA at covid@nata.aero. Read more.
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Industry Applauds Release of FAA's Standardized Curriculum for On-Demand Training
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Last week, NATA and the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) welcomed the release of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidance on a new standardized curriculum for Part 135 training that will improve safety and increase administrative efficiencies for on-demand operators. The FAA’s Advisory Circular streamlines the relationship between Part 142 training centers and on-demand air carriers, as well as reduces inefficiencies in the approvals and qualification processes. The guidance also creates a Training Standardization Working Group composed of industry and FAA experts that will develop standardized training procedures for the most common aircraft types.
“NATA is pleased about this exciting advancement in Part 135 training that provides efficiency and safety gains for both operators and the FAA alike,” said NATA President and CEO Timothy Obitts. “This is the result of a tremendous four-year effort from many industry stakeholders, and we are pleased that the FAA is implementing the recommendations of the FAA’s Air Carrier Training Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ACT ARC). We’d also like to thank NATA’s Vice President of Regulatory Affairs John McGraw for his leadership as Chair of the ACT ARC Working Group, and NBAA’s Brian Koester and Mark Larsen, along with our members who served on the ARC and provided their expertise and time to this effort." Read more.
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NATA Staff to Participate in Online AIA Conference this Wednesday
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NATA Director of Regulatory Affairs Megan Eisenstein and Senior Vice President Ryan Waguespack will participate in a May 6th online conference hosted by the Aviation Insurance Association. Megan will take part in a panel discussing the risks of inadvertent fire foam discharges in aircraft hangars and NATA’s efforts to campaign for changes to mitigate these risks. Ryan’s panel will cover how illegal charter operations impact the insurance underwriting world and the current initiatives undertaken by the FAA and industry to continue to combat this issue.
Visit AIA’s website for more information on the agenda and to register.
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Don't Miss out on NATA's Free Webinar Series this Month
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The NATA Safety 1st team will host their first webinar in a series to allow for continuing education and professional development during COVID-19. The first webinar, “Supercharge Employee Development with the Structured Training Model & Safety 1st,” is scheduled for this Wednesday, May 6, at 2 PM EDT.
Each webinar is offered at no charge and will be 30-40 minutes in length, allowing time for questions at the end.
Join your colleagues and members of the Safety 1st Team each Wednesday in May at 2:00 p.m. Eastern as they explore the following topics:
- Building individual skills in development and training
- Safety 1st Training Center
- Structured training model
Register here or if you have any questions or suggestions for future topics, please contact Safety 1st at safety1st@nata.aero.
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| From the FAA: |
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FAA Safety Briefing May/June 2020 Issue | The FAA Safety Policy Voice of Non-commercial General Aviation
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The May/June 2020 issue of the FAA Safety Briefing focuses on the importance of proper communication in aviation and its critical role in furthering safety. Feature articles include a refresher on the basics of good "aviation" grammar, how to use correct phraseology to avoid confusion or misunderstandings, and how to best leverage the technology and equipment at your disposal to maximize communication efficiency and accuracy. Read more.
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The 42nd annual General Aviation and Part 135 Activity Survey (GA Survey) is underway! The FAA’s annual GA Survey is the only government source of information on the general aviation fleet, the number of hours flown, and the ways people use general aviation aircraft. The data helps determine funding for infrastructure and service needs, assess the impact of regulatory changes, and measure aviation safety. If you are selected to complete this year’s survey, you should have received a postcard invitation to participate. You can complete the survey online, or submit the survey form that was mailed to you in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. Your responses will be used for statistical purposes and will not be published or released in any form that would reveal an individual participant. If you have any questions, please contact survey manager Tetra Tech toll-free at 1-800-826-1797 or email infoaviationsurvey@tetratech.com. Previous years’ survey results can be found here.
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Association Highlights:
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NATA Contributes to New Atlantic Council Report on the Future of Sustainable Aviation Fuel
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NATA is pleased to have contributed to the new Atlantic Council report by Fred Ghatala, Sustainable Aviation Fuel Policy in the United States: A Pragmatic Way Forward, which provides a set of near and long-term federal policy options that could be implemented in order to encourage the use of SAF. The report contextualizes each policy choice and explains the implications of each option, differentiating between policies that can be implemented in the near-term and policies that require long-term implementation.
The aviation sector is in need of decarbonization, but it is one of the most challenging transportation sectors to decarbonize, since decarbonization options that may work for ground or maritime transport are generally not feasible for air travel. Sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) present an opportunity to decarbonize the aviation sector, but federal policies that address SAF have largely included SAF as an add-on to existing policies that are meant primarily to address ground transportation. However, due to the unique challenges presented to decarbonization by the aviation sector, the use of SAF should be incentivized through pragmatic, sector-specific federal policies.
The report considers future policy options to incentivize SAF production and use, presents options for how this could be approached, and outlines potential advantages and drawbacks for each policy option. This report was informed by views from across the aviation spectrum, including aviation association representatives, SAF producers, and environmental organizations.
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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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U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao Announces Over $1 Billion in Grants to 439 Airports in 50 States
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U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao announced last Thursday that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will award $1.187 billion in airport safety and infrastructure grants. The total includes $731 million in Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants and an additional $455 million in Supplemental Discretionary grants. The money will be available for 100 percent of the eligible costs under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).
“This Federal investment of over $1 billion represents the Department’s continued commitment to the safety and efficiency of our nation’s airports for the traveling public,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao. A complete listing of grants and an interactive map of airports receiving funding is available on the FAA website. The full press release can be read here.
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Membership Spotlight:
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2020 AirVenture Oshkosh is Cancelled | Continued Support for Young Eagles Program Encouraged
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Annually, hundreds of thousands of visitors from nearly 100 countries come to Oshkosh, WI for the fly-in convention, but the event has been cancelled for 2020. The cancellation was due to the uncertainty surrounding coronavirus, event organizers stated last week. EAA will roll over pre-sold 2020 admissions and camping reservations to the 2021 show or provide refunds, the organization said, adding it will contact those involved over the next couple of weeks. Wisconsin is still under a stay-at-home order until May 26 until further notice, eliminating the ability to begin event preparations. Further, since opening dates remain fluid, the ability to host mass gatherings in July remains in flux. We will surely miss this exciting event.
NATA would like to remind our members of an important, life changing program developed by EAA to introduce young people to our industry. “The Young Eagles® Program has played a vital role in inspiring future aviators and aviation business professionals each year at AirVenture. As restrictions are lifted and the timing is right, I urge NATA members to consider support of this worthy program. I have volunteered this Program and some of my children have participated in it and absolutely loved it,” stated NATA President and CEO Timothy Obitts. “Program volunteers have provided millions of free introductory flights – allowing young people to experience the spirit of aviation and opening them to new horizons in the field of aviation.” Visit EAA’s website for more information.
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FBO Chain Donates and Delivers PPE to NY Hospital
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While the New York City region remains one of the areas in the U.S. most heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, personal protective equipment there continues to be in short supply, causing legislators to reach out for assistance. Million Air, which opened its flagship FBO at Westchester County Airport (HPN) last year, answered the call, donating 8,000 surgical respiratory face masks and 1,100 N95 protective face masks. It coordinated with the Westchester Business Council and dispatched a Houston-based Cessna Citation S/II from its charter fleet to ferry the masks to its HPN location. From there, they were sent to a nearby medical facility. "These are times that define a generation, and we cannot sit on the sidelines,” said company CEO Roger Woolsey. Emergency medical missions are nothing new to the Million Air charter fleet, which on average flies 10 time-critical organ-transplant missions a day and has tallied more than 30,000 since the company was founded. Read more.
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Clay Lacy Adds Aircraft Disinfection to Services
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Clay Lacy Aviation, based in Van Nuys, CA, has introduced aircraft cleaning and disinfection services as part of its offerings. Performed at the company’s maintenance centers and by its mobile response teams, its detailing technicians wear full-body Tyvek protective suits, goggles, gloves, and face masks, and use bipolar ionization equipment and EPA-registered sanitizing products to disinfect the aircraft cabin. The ionization process takes an hour, releasing millions of charged ion particles that kill airborne and surface pathogens such as COVID-19 and influenza viruses along with Staph, other dangerous bacteria, and mold. Read more
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