NATA News

• Emerging Charter Regulatory And Market Trends At The Summit
• Passage Of FAA Reauthorization Remains Uncertain
• GA Avgas Coalition: Threatened Lawsuit Over Avgas Ignores Extensive Efforts Underway Or Already Completed
• California Senate Passes Flight Training Relief Bill
• NATA Provides Support To Members Named In Center For Environmental Health Notice
• National Aviation Organizations Welcome Proclamation By Mississippi House Of Representatives Declaring May “General Aviation Appreciation Month”
• Coyne Video Clip: “DCA America’s Airport”
• Host A Congressional Tour Today
• Line Service Supervisor Training Seminar – Supervisors Mix Learning With Fun Activities
• Get The Updated General Aviation Facts In NATA's Downloadable Reference Book
• Fact Of The Week – Environmental News
• NATA Headquarters Closed In Observance Of Memorial Day Holiday

The best way for you to learn how to assess emerging regulatory and market trends now driving the success of charter companies like yours is to attend the 2011 NATA Air Charter Summit, beginning June 6 at the Marriott Westfields Dulles Conference Center in Virginia.

You can view the final Summit agenda or register today at www.nata.aero/acs.

The summit is an intense, quick series of market intelligence briefings that will provide you and your company with:

• A cutting-edge understanding of current and future market opportunities.
• First hand knowledge of how top regulatory officials at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the FAA and the Department of Transportation (DOT) view the regulatory landscape. Hear from the FAA’s John Allen, Timothy Beglau, Joseph Conte, John S. Duncan, and Steve Kane; the TSA’s Douglas Hofsass; TSA TFSSP principal security supervisors; and the DOT’s Dayton Lehman.
• Specific rule interpretations applicable to your operation.
• Insider information from industry leaders to improve your company’s business efficiency and effectiveness.
• Emerging best practices and intelligence from industry peers.
• Information on the latest products and services from NATA, the Air Charter Safety Foundation, Fargo Jet Center, FltPlan.com, LOFT, NATA Compliance Services, Sagem Avionics Inc., Signature Flight Support, SkyBOOKS, and Veterans Airlift Command.
• Networking and social opportunities to catch up with colleagues and friends.

The summit is ideal for chief pilots, directors of operations, directors of maintenance, directors of safety, and company executives (owners, presidents, vice presidents, senior managers, and regulatory compliance executives/managers).

Only one annual industry event is focused solely on supplying you answers to your challenges as a charter provider — NATA's 2011 Air Charter Summit. Please join us on June 6-8.

More information is available at www.nata.aero/acs.

Questions? Call us today at (800) 808-NATA.

We look forward to seeing you there. Don’t Miss It!

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On May 24, the U.S. Senate approved a short-term extension that will give lawmakers until June 30 to complete action on a long-term FAA reauthorization bill. The extension will allow FAA programs to continue while conference negotiations proceed on a final version of the legislation. The U.S. House of Representatives approved their bill, H.R. 658: FAA Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2011, on April 1, 2011 and the Senate passed their bill, S. 223: FAA Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act, on February 17, 2011. The extension is now awaiting President Obama’s signature. When signed into law, it will mark the 19th extension of this law since 2007.

House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman John Mica (R-FL) last week cast doubt on Congress's ability to move long-term funding legislation for the FAA. Chairman Mica stated that passage of the bill will be harder to achieve because the new Representatives have “little interest in providing more funds for the FAA.” But leadership in both sides of Congress have stated that they are willing to do whatever it takes to complete a final FAA bill without the need a further extension.

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A threatened lawsuit by the environmental group Friends of the Earth against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would pit the as-yet unquantified hazards of lead from aviation gasoline (avgas) against the known safety risk to pilots and passengers of removing lead used in piston-powered (non-turbine) aircraft fuel. The threatened suit, alleging inaction on the part of the agency, would ignore extensive work underway or done by the EPA, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the general aviation industry, and the fuels industry.

The General Aviation Avgas Coalition, made up of aviation and petroleum industry organizations, anticipated this development even while hoping to avoid it. The threatened lawsuit would ask a court to compel EPA to respond to a 2006 petition submitted by Friends of the Earth. That petition asks EPA to make a so-called “endangerment” finding for leaded avgas. Such a finding would trigger a multi-step regulatory process that could reduce or eliminate tetraethyl lead from aviation gasoline – a regulatory process that will take years and must consider aircraft safety. In any event, EPA is already an active participant in regulatory efforts aimed at developing a safe alternative to leaded avgas.

Simply put, lead remains in avgas to keep the people aboard piston-engine aircraft safe – it keeps those engines from ripping themselves apart in flight. Despite some 40 years of research since the passage of the Clean Air Act, no safe alternative has been identified. But the industry continues working toward an unleaded future.

Early this year, acting on a request from the GA Avgas Coalition, the FAA – the agency with responsibility for the certification and continued safety of general aviation aircraft –established the Unleaded Avgas Transition Aviation Rulemaking Committee (UAT ARC). The ARC is a joint government/industry committee tasked with identifying key issues relating to and providing recommendations for the development and deployment of an unleaded avgas. The Friends of the Earth were invited to participate on the ARC to be a part of the effort to work towards an unleaded future, but chose not to participate.

The EPA, in addition to being an active participant in the ARC, has taken a number of actions. Last year, the agency issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR), acknowledging the need for more information about the issue and asking a series of pertinent questions, to which the industry filed substantial comments. In 2008, the EPA also lowered the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for lead by a factor of 10. In a subsequent notice, the EPA also established a new criteria for lead monitoring and added a requirement for specific monitoring at 15 airports. EPA also has recently begun a process to review the recently-revised National Ambient Air Quality Standards for lead.

Shortly after the passage of the Clean Air Act in 1970, the industry as a whole took a significant step, reducing lead emissions by 50% by moving to a low-lead fuel. Now, as an interim step toward an unleaded fuel, the industry is developing a very-low-lead standard that would further reduce the already small amount of lead remaining in the fuel by an additional 20%. Meanwhile, at least two companies – both of which are members of and participating in the UAT ARC – are continuing to make progress testing and evaluating unleaded fuels that may work as a replacement.

The Friends of the Earth filing notes that some argue in favor of using unleaded automotive gasoline instead of avgas. Automotive gasoline is approved for use in only a portion of the general aviation fleet and faces a number of significant issues. These issues include, but are not limited to, the economic challenge of developing a second fuel infrastructure to serve a limited market, and the growing difficulty of finding fuel not blended with ethanol. Congress has mandated the blending of renewable fuels such as ethanol into automotive gasoline. Given the mandated volume of renewable fuels that must be used and the amount of automotive gasoline American drivers consumed last year, virtually all automotive gasoline produced must be blended. And Congress has shown no interest in creating a niche for unblended automotive gas.

While the notice by the Friends of the Earth asks the EPA to begin a process that may result in establish lead emission standards for avgas, GA pilots should rest assured that any new standards are years away from implementation and do not affect current or near-term availability of avgas. Further, the GA Avgas Coalition continues to support the efforts of the FAA’s Unleaded Avgas Transition ARC. With the participation of the FAA, EPA, petroleum industry, engine and airframe manufacturers, fuel developers, and consumer representatives, this remains the right path to finding an unleaded solution that is technically and economically feasible while maintaining the safety and utility of the general aviation fleet.

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Recently, Senate Bill 619 (SB 619) was passed out of the California Senate with no opposition. The bill is now headed to the California Assembly.

SB 619, which is supported by NATA and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, would provide relief to some flight training facilities from the rules issued by the California Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education. The bill would exempt any flight school that does not require up-front payment of “tuition” or fees and that does not require students to enter into a contract of indebtedness as a condition for training. Language in SB 619, however, would allow exempted facilities to accept payments from students, in amounts less than $2,500, for the purchase of “block time.”

In order to continue the legislative effort to obtain relief from the rules issued by the California Bureau of Private Post Secondary Education, NATA has established a fund to enable members and other interested individuals to support the association’s efforts. Donations to this fund go directly towards lobbying and grassroots efforts in California.

Click here to make a donation.

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Earlier this month, numerous FBOs and aviation gasoline producers and distributers were each sent two notices of violation by a San Francisco-based environmental group, the Center for Environmental Health (CEH). The notices are actually an allegation, made by the CEH, that the named companies have violated the California Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act, also known as Proposition 65. By issuing these notices, the CEH opens the . door to filing a lawsuit under Proposition 65. NATA has been working closely with the named businesses to ensure that they receive accurate information regarding the Proposition 65 legal process and possible response options.

In addition to supporting the specific businesses involved in this issue, NATA will also host an open webinar for all California businesses to discuss Proposition 65 and its requirements. This webinar will be held tomorrow, May 31, at 1:00 p.m. PDT.

Click here to register for the Prop. 65 open webinar.

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Earlier this month, numerous FBOs and aviation gasoline producers and distributers were each sent two notices of violation by a San Francisco-based environmental group, the Center for Environmental Health (CEH). The notices are actually an allegation, made by the CEH, that the named companies have violated the California Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act, also known as Proposition 65. By issuing these notices, the CEH opens the . door to filing a lawsuit under Proposition 65. NATA has been working closely with the named businesses to ensure that they receive accurate information regarding the Proposition 65 legal process and possible response options.

In addition to supporting the specific businesses involved in this issue, NATA will also host an open webinar for all California businesses to discuss Proposition 65 and its requirements. This webinar will be held tomorrow, May 31, at 1:00 p.m. PDT.

Click here to register for the Prop. 65 open webinar.

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In his latest video clip, NATA President and CEO James K. Coyne addresses the need to re-open Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport fully.

To view Coyne’s latest video clip, please click here.

To view all of Coyne’s video briefings, please click here.

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Members of the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives spend a lot of time in Washington, but they also spend valuable time in their states and districts during scheduled congressional work periods and recess. Members of Congress take these opportunities to visit with constituents, making this the perfect time for NATA members to invite their Senators and Representatives to tour their facilities.

In 2010, NATA and the general aviation community worked tirelessly on numerous provisions negatively affecting general aviation. In 2011, we must remain vigilant and work together to educate the public and especially Members of Congress and their staff on the important role general aviation plays, including its economic value to our country. We will likely face a number of legislative hurdles this year, which is another reason to reach out to your elected officials and let them know how these issues affect YOU, their constituent. The inevitable passage of FAA Reauthorization and aviation security measures continue to be the most pressing legislative hurdles so far this year.

A tour of your facility is a valuable way to inform key congressional leaders on the principal issues confronting our national air transportation system while allowing you to address other issues affecting your business. This one-on-one interaction will give Members of Congress and their staff a better understanding of the value of America’s aviation businesses and airline services companies. In addition, NATA members can introduce their business to new and prospective Members of Congress, and forge stronger relationships with existing Members. Host a tour today!

To learn more about how to host a congressional tour, please click here.

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The New England Air Museum was the perfect venue for nearly 50 line service supervisors and managers to spend time in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, building career knowledge, confidence and new techniques to facilitate safety and training at home base.

Class began with a comprehensive technical review given by Ascent Aviation’s Reed Fuller, legal compliance for supervisors by McBreen and Kopko’s Lenny Kirsch, leadership essentials by TVA Inc’s Dr. Todd Dewett, and safety culture basics by NATA’s Amy Koranda. Day two continued with a management-style review by Koranda; dynamic customer service techniques by NATA’s Mike France; leadership essentials, employee engagement and coaching skills by ServiceElement’s Dr. Mario Martinez and a fire safety review by France to complement NATA’s Safety 1st 14 CFR Part 139 Section 321 online fire safety training.

Attendees took advantage of team-building activities during lunch that sparked ingenuity and great friendships among members of the groups. Participants flew test flights of balsa wood flyers and attempted to fly as many circuits as possible around a pylon. Flight circuits were counted when the gear left the ground and the end when the gear first touched down, regardless of whether it took off and flew a few more circuits. Teams were challenged to modify their planes to fly more circuits by modifying wings, tails and removing extraneous plane parts, including the pilot. Many successfully increased their flight circuits, but other modifications resulted in a fast taxi or a nose high takeoff and subsequent stall. One group’s aircraft took off like a lightning bolt only to come crashing down after one circuit and subsequently, detached from the pylon, fly into one of the exhibits in the museum. The team proclaimed aviation couldn’t advance without such ingenuity.

Participants also visited three hangars of vintage aircraft and successfully completed the museum’s scavenger hunt of ten questions encompassing the J-3 Cub, DC-3, Gee Bee, Blimp, B-29 and more. The museum activities were a nice diversion and created a real team spirit that followed attendees into the classroom. You may view team challenge photos and videos from NATA’s LSST Seminar in Windsor Locks here.

Don’t miss NATA’s next LSST in Atlanta, Georgia, scheduled for November 7-8.

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NATA has updated its popular fact book titled General Aviation in the United States. This publication was produced by the association for its members, the media, government, and the general public as a tool to help illustrate general aviation's importance to the U.S. transportation system and economy.

General Aviation in the United States provides an in-depth review of the NATA membership segments as well as other important components of the general aviation and airline services industry. This handy reference also contains information on a number of U.S. government agencies that affect the day-to-day operation of aviation businesses, and features several charts containing vital general aviation and business aviation statistics on fuel consumption, fractional ownership companies, active pilots, airports, and much more.

"NATA's fact book is one of the association’s many helpful resources available to aid our members in educating community and government leaders about the value of our industry as a critical component to the American economy," NATA President James K. Coyne stated.

Click here to download your free copy of General Aviation in the United States now.

Members who have questions regarding this publication may contact Linda Pylant or Shannon Chambers.

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Avweb.com announced this week that Indiana-based Swift Enterprises has completed the process for and received an ASTM test specification for its unleaded, high octane, aviation gasoline test fuel. According to AVweb, having received a test specification for its fuel will allow Swift to “test the fuel in standard airplanes, rather than only experimental aircraft, which will make it easier to gather large amounts of data.”

Click here to read the full article.

Click here to visit the Swift Enterprises Web site.

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NATA Headquarters will be closed today, May 30, 2011, in observance of Memorial Day. The association thanks all of our men and women serving in the U.S. military, past and present, and wishes everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend.

06/06/2011 - Dulles, VA
2011 Air Charter Summit

06/26-06/28 - St. Louis, MO AAAE GA Issues & Security Conference

08/23/2011 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL
2011 Commercial Operators Tax Seminar

10/09/2011 - Las Vegas, NV
2011 Fall Committee Meetings

11/07/2011 - Atlanta, GA
Line Service Supervisor Training

11/08/2011 - Atlanta, GA
FBO Success Seminar

03/05/2012 - Las Vegas, NV
2012 Spring Training

NATA E-Learn Webinars

Commercial Operators Tax Seminar Preview Webinar - 06/22/2011

Click here to view archived webinar recordings