NBAA Update Archive

NBAA Update #05-01
Monday, January 03, 2005

NBAA Update is the National Business Aviation Association's weekly e-mail newsletter, providing the latest operational, regulatory and political news for the business aviation community. Subscribe for free or review the archives at www.nbaa.org/update. Send your comments about NBAA Update to update@nbaa.org. Send address changes to membership@nbaa.org.

Business Aviation News & Issues

TSA and NBAA to Expand General Aviation Security Partnership Program
In a statement issued last week, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced that the TSA and NBAA are accelerating their successful partnership to further enhance the Transportation Security Administration Access Certificate (TSAAC), a program providing corporate aircraft operators with an approved security program. The TSAAC provides standardized security procedures and best practices for personnel, facilities, aircraft and in-flight operations of business operators who on a voluntary basis will help extend TSA oversight. "We are delighted with the leadership that the TSA is taking on this issue and look forward to working with the agency to expand access to airports and airspace for security-qualified operations," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. For more information, download the TSA press release in PDF format at:
http://www.nbaa.org/ops/security/TSA_PR20041230.pdf

NTSB Issues Wing Upper Surface Ice Accumulation Alert
In light of recent takeoff accidents, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued an alert to pilots on December 29 regarding wing upper surface ice accumulation: "Ice accumulation on the wing upper surface is very difficult to detect. It may not be seen from the cabin because it is clear/white and it is very difficult to see from the front or back of the wing. The Safety Board believes strongly that the only way to ensure that the wing is free from critical contamination is to touch it." The advisory also cites a previous NTSB report: "According to wind tunnel data, a wing upper surface roughness caused by particles of only 1–2 mm diameter (the size of a grain of table salt), at a density of about one particle per square centimeter, can cause lift losses of about 22 and 33 percent, in ground effect and free air, respectively." View the complete NTSB Advisory at:
http://www.ntsb.gov/pressrel/2004/041229.htm

Presidential Inauguration Traffic Management Initiative
In conjunction with this month's Presidential inauguration, traffic flow into Dulles International (IAD) and Baltimore Washington International (BWI) airports will be controlled by the General Aviation Airport Program (GAAP), which the FAA brought online in November as a method of trying to reduce the number of Special Traffic Management Programs (STMPs). Operators are strongly encouraged to contact their FBO of choice at these airports to receive a parking reservation; they also should consider contacting Manassas (HEF), Leesburg (JYO), Frederick (FDK) or other local airports for parking. It is anticipated that Dulles will fill up with business jets and at some point will no longer accept any non-scheduled traffic. The inauguration has been declared a national security event and a flight advisory has been published by the FAA detailing flight restrictions in the Washington ADIZ/FRZ. The advisory can be found online at:
http://www.faa.gov/newsroom/inaugaration/flight_advisory.pdf

GAAP Receives Favorable Reviews
Launched in November, the General Aviation Airport Program (GAAP) is designed for traffic situations where demand on an airport is expected to be at or moderately above the available capacity of that airport. GAAP assigns expected departure clearance times to pilots based on the current demand projected in each arrival hour. If the demand increases beyond a moderate level, the FAA will revert to more traditional ground delay and ground stop programs. The program, which has received favorable reviews during its use in Florida this winter, is more equitable to all NAS operators than traditional STMP programs and has been in a test phase since it was introduced. Learn more about GAAP online at:
http://www.nbaa.org/ops/airspace/gaap

Notice of 2005 NFL Super Bowl STMP
A traditional STMP will be in effect for Super Bowl XXXIX from February 2 to 8 in Jacksonville, FL. View the STMP NOTAM online at:
http://www.faa.gov/NTAP/NTAP04NOV25/SP04061.htm

NBAA Concerned About Informal FAA Policy on Training
In a December 30 letter to the FAA regarding the performance of basic maneuvers for demonstrating proficiency in an aircraft that requires two pilots, NBAA identified concerns regarding informal FAA guidance provided in the form of an answer to a Frequently Asked Question to Part 142 Training Center Program Managers. The NBAA letter states that the FAA training policy is misunderstood and inconsistently applied, affecting the training of flightcrews. NBAA intends to work with the FAA and Part 142 training centers to quickly and efficiently resolve this issue. Both the NBAA letter and FAA guidance on this issue are available online at:
http://www.nbaa.org/part135

FAA Administrator Letter About Flight Plan 2005–2009
The FAA has released the final version of Flight Plan 2005–2009, a rolling, multi-year strategic effort setting a course for the FAA through 2009. The Flight Plan, available on the FAA web site at http://www.faa.gov/AboutFAA/Plans.cfm, has four main goals: increased safety, greater capacity, international leadership and organizational excellence. A letter from FAA Administrator Marion C. Blakey regarding the Flight Plan's release is available online at:
http://www.nbaa.org/govt/letters/20041221Blakey.php

Domestic RVSM Deadline Looms
Members are reminded that Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) will be implemented in the United States, as well as Canada, Mexico, South America and the Caribbean, on January 20, 2005. There are no provisions for operators not yet RVSM-approved to obtain any waivers to operate in RVSM airspace. For more information about RVSM, visit NBAA's web site at:
http://www.nbaa.org/rvsm

FBI Probes Lasers Aimed at Cockpits
The FBI is investigating several incidents of lasers striking aircraft cockpits during the month of December, including one involving a Citation on approach into Teterboro (TEB) on December 29. Although there have been no reports of accidents caused by lasers, high-powered lasers can temporarily blind or disorient a pilot. Lasers shining into aircraft cockpits are not uncommon over the past decade; in several cases, the pilots sustained eye damage. The common sense defense is to look away, or have one pilot "fly the panel" and one pilot remain focused outside the cockpit. Members are urged to report any laser incursions to authorities. For more information, contact NBAA's Mark Larsen at mlarsen@nbaa.org.

New International Registry for Aircraft and Engines
The world is one step closer to the implementation of a new international registry, The Cape Town Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment (also known as UNIDROIT), for certain aircraft and engines. The goal of this registry is to give greater security to financial institutions that lend money for aircraft and aircraft engines. FAA published a final rule in the Federal Register that will enable the transfer of information to the International Registry via the FAA Aircraft Registry. NBAA is concerned that the U.S. government has supported this registry without full knowledge of the cost and economic burden on aircraft operators. For more information, attend NBAA's Regulatory Issues Forum on January 28 in Miami Lakes, FL, which will include a presentation on the Cape Town Treaty, or contact NBAA's Mike Nichols at mnichols@nbaa.org. Or download the final rule in PDF format at:
http://web.nbaa.org/member/ops/taxes/FAA-2004-19944.pdf

EASA Publishes Basic EU Licensing Requirements
During the past five years, NBAA has been involved with the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) in developing European aircraft operating regulations. Additionally, over the past two years, NBAA has worked with IBAC and its European members as those draft regulations have begun the move from the purview of the Joint Aviation Authorities to that of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). In response to a request from EASA for input to their initial activities in operational rulemaking, IBAC coordinated the business aviation community's contributions to the work. EASA has now published basic European Union licensing requirements. The business aviation community recommendations were generally accepted. For more information and a copy of the EASA press release, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/ops/intl/eur/20050103.php

Make 2005 a Safety Focus Year
The NBAA Safety Committee urges all operators to fly safe in 2005. Before accepting something or doing something that "might" work, reflect on the impact if it doesn't. De-icing, conducting ground operations, avoiding thunderstorms and maintaining situational awareness – these and other operational issues should be of constant concern to business aircraft users. For more information, review the Safety Committee's Recommendations at http://www.nbaa.org/ops/safety/recommendations or the Committee Safety Tips appearing in recent issues of NBAA Update at http://www.nbaa.org/update. Learn more about the Safety Committee and its activities at:
http://www.nbaa.org/about/committees/safety

NBAA Requests Industry Participation in CNS/ATM Survey by Jan. 11
NBAA invites corporate flight departments to participate in a Communication, Navigation and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) Joint Committee Survey conducted by the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). The joint committee was formed to explore and help shape the integration of today's corporate flight operations into tomorrow's regulated and technical airspace requirements. The 15-question survey, which must be completed by January 11, is located online at:
http://www.nbaa.org/news/pr/2004/20041228-089.php

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Regional News

Expected TFR for Upcoming VIP Travel in Illinois
Operators should anticipate a temporary flight restriction (TFR) for VIP travel this week for the area near Collinsville, IL, on January 5. Since TFRs are announced shortly before they go into effect, Members must continue to use all resources to prevent flying into restricted airspace. Operators are urged to review NOTAMs carefully prior to every flight. For more information, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/airspace/restrictions

NBAA Regulatory Issues Forum Comes to Miami in January
On January 28 in Miami Lakes, FL, NBAA will hold a Regulatory Issues Forum designed to help flight department personnel and their accountants/attorneys understand regulations affecting business aviation operations. This event will be held in conjunction with an IS-BAO Implementation Workshop on January 27, which was created to assist operators who are implementing (or considering implementing) the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO). NBAA is committed to informing all business aviation professionals on issues and challenges affecting the community. In addition to the Regulatory Issues Forum, NBAA offers a comprehensive program of Seminars for flight department personnel and others involved in business aviation operations. NBAA events are held nationwide all year long. For more information about the Regulatory Issues Forum and other events, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/events

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NBAA News

Applications for Next CAM Exam Due Jan. 17
Through the certification process, NBAA and the Certified Aviation Manager Governing Board seek to raise the level of professionalism and quality of management within flight departments. The next Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) Examination will take place on March 3 in Miami Lakes, FL, in conjunction with the NBAA Leadership Conference. Applications for the exam should be submitted no later than Monday, January 17. Applications may be submitted online, or the application can be downloaded and submitted by mail or fax. The CAM Exam will be held three times in 2005: March 3, April 14 and November 14. For more information, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/cam

NBAA Leadership Conference 2005: Survive and Thrive
"Proactive Leadership in a Reactive World" is the theme of this year's NBAA Leadership Conference, to be held on March 1 and 2 at Don Shula's Hotel in Miami Lakes, FL. This year's program is packed with subjects essential to making your flight department more successful. The array of speakers and sessions is the best yet. This highly interactive event is designed for current and emerging managers – operations, maintenance and administrative – who want to learn and share their practical knowledge and experiences for being successful leaders in a changing and challenging world. For more information or to review the preliminary agenda, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/cs/camc/2005

Nominations for NBAA Meritorious and Doswell Awards Due Feb. 25
NBAA is accepting nominations for its two most prestigious awards, the 2005 Meritorious Service to Aviation Award and the 2005 John P. "Jack" Doswell Award. NBAA Members are strongly encouraged to submit nominations for both awards to NBAA by February 25. Award winners will be officially recognized at the Annual Gala of the NBAA 58th Annual Meeting & Convention in November 2005. For more information, including nomination guidelines, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/about/awards

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