Air Charter Update
On the heels of a successful Air Charter Summit, NATA continues its advocacy for this crucial segment of the aviation business community. The NATA team was thrilled to engage with many of you during the Summit and Air Charter Committee meetings in Oklahoma City last week and hope you found the events valuable to your operation. As we prepare to celebrate Independence Day, we’d like to thank you for your continued support and engagement on a range of topics important to your business. We encourage you to review and become familiar with several upcoming rule changes outlined below as well as the work that the NATA team is accomplishing with your assistance to protect the industry against onerous changes and empower your safety and success.
FAA Updates Medical Requirements for Instructors & Check Pilots
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has updated its regulations to remove the requirement for check pilots and flight instructors to possess a current medical unless they are performing as a required flight crew member.
This NATA-supported rule change provides relief for part 135 operators by removing inconsistencies in the regulations, recognizing that unless the instructor or check pilot is acting as a required crewmember in an aircraft, they no longer must have a current medical certificate to perform their duties. NATA encourages part 135 operators to review the final rule, which goes into effect on July 18, 2024.
International Aircraft And Passenger Fees Changing
Beginning October 1, 2024, user fees assessed on international arrivals of commercial aircraft and passengers will change (with scheduled increases through 2027) and air carriers will be required to remit payments more frequently. NATA strongly encourages all air charter operators conducting international operations to familiarize themselves with the changes to USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) fee rates and remittance requirements.
A new provision requires APHIS fees to be paid monthly, with fees for any given month due 90 days after the end of that month. Under the current rule, carriers must submit fees on a quarterly basis. APHIS will also require carriers to provide (and keep current) the name, address, and telephone number of a responsible officer who can verify fee calculations, payments, and remittance. APHIS is also eliminating a long-standing fee exemption for small aircraft (defined as 64 or fewer seats) which do not serve certain types of food on board as of April 1, 2025.
The new fee rates and details on remittance procedures and schedule are available in the final rule and on the APHIS website.
NATA Advocates for Air Charter Community Amid Security Changes
NATA recently submitted a letter to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) commenting on proposed changes to the Twelve Five Standard Security Program (TFSSP) related to part 135 and part 380 operations. NATA expressed concerns on TSA’s proposal, particularly the basis for the need for change. NATA remains in contact with the TSA to ensure any changes to security programs take a risk-based approach, consider all aspects of the current operational environment, and do not have unintended consequences. NATA will continue to engage with the Agency and report back to our members on this issue.
NATA Air Charter Summit Highlights Community as a Catalyst for Business Aviation Safety and Success
Last week, NATA wrapped up an energetic and engaging Air Charter Summit, gathering industry and agency stakeholders in Oklahoma City. The Summit provided a forum for discussion on timely topics and direct connections between federal agencies and the part 135 community.
“NATA received much positive feedback from our members emphasizing the quality of the information they will take back to their operations and the opportunity to interact with regulators who directly impact their ability to conduct business,” stated NATA President and CEO Curt Castagna. “We thank FAA Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety Dave Boulter, members of the FAASTeam, the FAA SMS Program Office, and TSA and NTSB officials for taking the time to engage with our members and listen to their concerns.”
The part 5 SMS rule was a key conversation thread throughout the day. In his keynote remarks, Boulter urged air charter operators to avoid overcomplicating safety management by keeping SMS appropriate to their specific operation and leveraging its benefits to have a positive, organization-wide impact. In a later session led by NATA COO Keith DeBerry, SMS Program Office Manager Suzette Rash emphasized that operators should not wait to get started in implementing a compliant SMS; even those who have a voluntary program in place still need to perform a gap analysis to ensure they meet the requirements of the new rule. The certificate holder has the ultimate responsibility for ensuring regulatory compliance with part 5, Rash also noted. Read more.
For general press inquiries, contact Shannon Chambers at 703-298-1347 or schambers@nata.aero.
The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) has been the voice of aviation business for more than 80 years. Representing nearly 3,700 aviation businesses, NATA’s member companies provide a broad range of services to general aviation, the airlines and the military and NATA serves as the public policy group representing the interests of aviation businesses before Congress and the federal agencies.