NBAA Update Archive

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NBAA Update #02-15
Monday, April 15, 2002

FAA'S FIRST DRVSM SEMINAR WELL ATTENDED
On April 9 and 10 in Dulles, VA, the FAA sponsored the first in a series of Domestic Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (DRVSM) training seminars in anticipation of RVSM being established between FL 290 and FL 410 in the United States by late 2004. More than 150 people attended seminar presentations by FAA and industry officials, which focused on the history of RVSM, proposed rulemaking activity, training, certification and implementation plans. For additional information, including downloadable seminar presentations, visit www.faa.gov/ats/ato/rvsm1.htm. The FAA plans at least three additional DRVSM seminars, including one on September 8 and 9 in conjunction with the NBAA 55th Annual Meeting & Convention in Orlando, FL. The FAA/Industry DRVSM meeting tentatively planned for Kansas City, MO on April 17 and 18 has been postponed. New dates for a Kansas City meeting will be communicated via NBAA Update when available. For more information about RVSM, visit www.tc.faa.gov/act-500/niaab/drvsm/Default.asp or the NBAA site at:
www.nbaa.org/member/rvsm

DCA AIRLINE SERVICE BACK TO PRE-9/11 TOTALS, GA ACCESS STILL TO COME
Commercial airline service to Reagan National Airport (DCA) returned to its pre-September 11 capacity today while general aviation flights – which accounted for 60,000 movements at DCA last year – are still prohibited. TSA officials indicate, however, that a phased-in approach for GA operations is likely. On Monday, May 13, NBAA will hold its fifth briefing on the status of GA access to Reagan National Airport. To attend, submit an RSVP by April 30 to NBAA's Marie Wilkins at mwilkins@nbaa.org or call (202) 783-9252.
www.nbaa.org/airports/DCA/

BUSINESS AVIATION SAFETY RECORD IMPROVES
According to an April 5 report by Robert E. Breiling Associates, Inc., during the first quarter of 2002, the U.S. business jet and turboprop fleet experienced a slight decrease in the number of accidents and a large decrease in the number of fatalities versus the same period in 2001. For more information, contact Robert Breiling at (561) 338-6900 or NBAA at info@nbaa.org.
www.nbaa.org/safety

TAKE AN ONLINE FBO SURVEY
NBAA is surveying business aircraft operators to define the factors that result in the selection of FBOs. To take part in the quick, three-question survey, visit:
www.nbaa.org/surveys/FBOwants.htm

THE INSURANCE PERSPECTIVE ON HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENTS
Many FBOs are requiring pilots to sign "hold harmless" agreements. Do you know what they are and what they require? To learn more, review an article by Stuart C. Hope, CPCU and Eric W. Barfield, Hope Aviation Insurance, Inc., on the NBAA Taxes Web site at:
www.nbaa.org/taxes/#insurance

APR 23 DEADLINE TO SUBMIT COMMENTS ON TSA'S TWELVE-FIVE PROGRAM
On February 15, the Transportation Security Administration released the Twelve-Five Program, which requires charter operators using aircraft with a MGTOW equal to or greater than 12,500 pounds to conduct fingerprint-based criminal history record checks on all flightcrew members by December 6, 2002, and to incorporate procedures within their security programs that restrict access to the cockpit. NBAA Members are encouraged to submit comments on the rule, docket number TSA-2002-11604, via the Web at http://dms.dot.gov by the April 23 deadline. Review the rule at:
www.nbaa.org/ops/security/TSA-2002-11604.htm

GET INVOLVED IN SMALL TRANSPORT AIRPLANE HARMONIZATION GROUP
The Small Transport Airplane Harmonization Working Group-10 (STAHWG-10) reviews Aging Transport System Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ATSRAC) reports and submits recommendations for business aircraft. This group also is involved in aircraft sampling, which evaluates aircraft that are at least 15 years old with 7500 hours/5000 cycles. STAHWG-10 is searching for operators interested in voluntary participation. For more information or to participate, contact NBAA's Eli Cotti at ecotti@nbaa.org.

RESULTS OF FAA EASTERN REGION RNAV MEETING ON APRIL 11
Area Navigation (RNAV) routes and RNAV arrival and departure tracks were the subject of a meeting held at the FAA Eastern Region headquarters last Thursday. NBAA Members as well as ATA, NATCA and airline representatives in attendance learned how the FAA is attempting to structure the RNAV system and incorporate it into the National Airspace System (NAS) restructuring project. The objective of the RNAV system is to provide users with the ability to go to a direct point rather than a course heading, and the FAA's intent is to standardize all RNAV operations within the NAS. For more information about this meeting, contact NBAA's Dean Saucier at dsaucier@nbaa.org.

FAA HAS REINSTITUTED NYC RNAV ROUTE
The FAA has re-instituted the RNAV route that had been shut down in the New York City area. Consideration is also being given to implementing low-level RNAV routes, which would enhance helicopter operations. For more information, contact NBAA's Dean Saucier at dsaucier@nbaa.org.

2002 ILLINOIS AVIATION CONFERENCE, APRIL 23-25
The Illinois Public Airports Association, Illinois Aviation Trades Association, and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Division of Aeronautics will host the Illinois 2002 Aviation Conference April 23-25 at the Holiday Inn, Urbana. Topics of discussion will include airport security, aviation insurance and risk management. Speakers will include Kirk Brown, IDOT Secretary, and Cecelia Hunziker, FAA Regional Administrator for the Great Lakes Region. For more information visit www.dot.state.il.us/aero or contact NBAA's John Balsiger at jbalsiger@nbaa.org.

AVOID TRAVEL DELAYS IN ALABAMA
This week, operators in the Talladega, AL area may encounter delays at Talladega Municipal Airport (ASN) and Anniston Metropolitan Airport (ABN) near Birmingham due to NASCAR race-related traffic. On Wednesday and Thursday, April 17 and 18, the racing teams will fly into one of these two airports, and it is expected that approximately 500 aircraft will depart the area on Sunday, April 20. For more information, visit the NASCAR Web site at www.nascar.com or contact NBAA's Dean Saucier at dsaucier@nbaa.org.

FLORIDA OPERATORS INVITED TO FORM LOCAL ASSOCIATION
All South Florida operators are invited to form a local business aviation association. To learn more and sign up for an organizational meeting, contact NBAA's Harry Houckes at hhouckes@nbaa.org. You can download NBAA's Guidelines for Local/Regional Business Aviation Organizations, a booklet designed to aid the formation of regional organizations or associations, at:
www.nbaa.org/reachbac/regional_guidelines.pdf

NBAA COMMITTEES TO HOST UPCOMING LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
NBAA, along with its Corporate Aviation Management Committee and Maintenance Committee, has assembled an impressive team of speakers to address issues that are important to leaders in the business aviation community at the upcoming NBAA Leadership Conference, April 23 to 25 in Nashville, TN. Now, more than ever, every aspect of the aviation department needs to come together to produce efficient, effective and successful results. This three-day Conference will take Attendees through "need-to-know" information and leadership techniques to create a world-class operation. The sessions will emphasize real-life examples and provide Attendees with tools they can implement in their own operations. To register or learn more, contact NBAA's Lydia Newsome at lnewsome@nbaa.org or visit:
www.nbaa.org/seminars/leadership

GREATER WASHINGTON AVIATION OPEN TO BE HELD MAY 6
The 14th Annual Greater Washington Aviation Open charity golf and tennis tournament will be held Monday, May 6 at the Indian Springs Country Club in Silver Spring, MD. Last year the event raised more than $83,000 for the Corporate Angel Network, which is dedicated to arranging free air transportation aboard corporate aircraft for cancer patients traveling to and from recognized treatment centers in the United States. For more information or to register, e-mail info@gwao.org or visit the Web at:
www.gwao.org

TEAM NBAA IS WORKING TO MEET ITS FUNDRAISING GOAL FOR MS WALK
After reading last week's NBAA Update issue, several Members with multiple sclerosis (MS) wrote to thank TEAM NBAA, composed of NBAA Staff Members and their family and friends, for its participation in the upcoming MS Walk in Washington, DC on Saturday, April 20. This event raises money for the National Capital Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. For more information or to make a donation to TEAM NBAA, contact NBAA's Deb Worden at dworden@nbaa.org or visit www.MsandYou.org. For online donations, please remember to reference TEAM NBAA on the donation form.