Dear NATA Member:
 
I know you are well aware of the current government shutdown and I wanted to update you on what NATA has been doing here in Washington to educate and advocate for you and our industry and also solicit from you any negative impacts on your business as a result of the shutdown.
 
Yesterday, I participated in a General Aviation Roundtable on Capitol Hill that was called by Rep. Sam Graves.  Representative Graves is our industry's friend.  He serves as Chairman of the House Small Business Committee, a Member of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, and Co-Chair of the 226 member General Aviation Caucus in Congress.  NATA and other industry association leaders expressed concerns with the shutdown, sequestration, federal excise taxes, user fees, certification and registry delays, and a number of other issues.  The Chairman of the House Aviation Subcommittee, Frank LoBiondo, also participated in the discussion.
 
Interestingly enough,  I was supposed to meet with the Secretary of Transportation, Anthony Foxx, this coming Monday to discuss this and other issues but that meeting is being rescheduled due to the shutdown.
 
It would be helpful to have specific examples of how the shutdown is impacting your business so that NATA can convey them to key decision-makers and urge them to act expeditiously.  Anything that you could send me would be appreciated.
 
Congress and the White House will obviously need to address the larger budget picture and we hope that occurs sooner rather than later.
 
Once the shutdown impasse is resolved, we could still face the automatic spending cuts (sequestration) that we faced last Spring unless Congress changes the law.  Congress will need to soon address the debt ceiling as the $16.7 trillion debt limit will be reached on October 17th.  This provides an opportunity for the Congress to reach an agreement with the White House and end the shutdown.  The last government shutdown lasted 21 days.
 
In addition, NATA and other general aviation industry associations plan to request a meeting with FAA Administrator Michael Huerta to convey our thoughts and suggestions on how and where best to apply appropriate spending reductions so the FAA can put scarce resources towards efforts that actually help our industry.  I welcome your ideas on this as well.
 
Please know that we are working diligently on your behalf.
 
Thank you for your continued support of NATA.  I look forward to hearing from you.
 
Best regards,

Thomas L. Hendricks
President & CEO
National Air Transportation Association