| Business Aviation News & Issues |
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News Organizations Cover NBAA Statements on GA Security
Record
Yesterday, the New York Times published a letter sent to the newspaper on March 14 by NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen in response to the
paper's coverage of a recent DHS/FBI report on aviation security. The Times's publication of Bolen's letter capped a two-week series of
communications from Bolen and other NBAA officials with news organizations to defend the security record for the general aviation industry, and
detail the steps taken to harden the industry from terrorist threats. To view Bolen's letter, and excerpts from other interviews conducted by NBAA,
visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/news/security200503.php
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FAA's Sturgell to Address LABACE2005 in Brazil This Thursday
FAA Deputy Administrator Robert A. Sturgell will be the featured keynote speaker on Thursday, March 31 at the Opening General Session of the 3rd
Annual Latin American Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (LABACE2005). The only Latin American exhibition to focus exclusively on business
aviation, LABACE2005 will be held for three days at the Transamerica Expo Center in Sao Paulo. Other Opening General Session speakers will include
NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen and Associacao Brasileira de Aviacao Geral (ABAG) Chairman Anderson Markiewicz. In-depth informational sessions will
be held throughout the show, covering operational issues such as helicopter operations in busy terminal areas, CNS/ATM activities and Latin American
operations, RVSM in Latin America and very light jets (VLJs). For more information about this year's agenda, visit:
http://www.labace.aero
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NBAA Provides JOBS Act Guidance Recommendations to IRS
In a letter sent March 24 to the IRS, NBAA and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) provided additional information as a follow-up
to their February 22 meeting regarding the JOBS Act. Operators that allow personal use of corporate aircraft may be affected by the JOBS Act. In the
letter, NBAA and GAMA impressed upon the IRS the importance of drafting regulations and guidance that are easy for business aircraft operators to
comply with and understand. For more information, contact NBAA's Mike Nichols at mnichols@nbaa.org, or view
the letter and additional information online at:
http://www.nbaa.org/govt/jobs2004
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Federal Appeals Court Upholds Current Deductibility of Engine
Maintenance Costs
A recent ruling by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in FedEx Corporation v. United States of America provides valuable information to owners
and operators of business aircraft. The question of expensing or capitalizing costs associated with heavy maintenance has been puzzling to taxpayers
over the years. Current expenses that are fully deductible in the year incurred are most valuable. Costs that must be capitalized and realized over
several years are valuable, but less so than currently deductible expenses. When considering high-cost items, such as engine maintenance costs, the
difference can be quite significant. Until recently, the cases and rulings on the subject provided an inconsistent record and poor guidance for
aircraft owners looking for a definitive answer to the question: "Are engine maintenance costs currently deductible as expenses or must they be
capitalized over time?" For an overview of the court case and its impact on business aviation, visit:
http://web.nbaa.org/member/ops/taxes/200503.php
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2005 FAA General Aviation Award Winners Announced
The General Aviation Awards Program and FAA have named the 2005 National General Aviation Award Winners: John Anthony Teipen of University City, MO,
Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI) of the Year; Michael Cheever Church of Costa Mesa, CA, Aviation Safety Counselor (ASC) of the Year; Michael
O'Brian Branham of Bella Vista, AR, Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) of the Year; and Charles Allen Hanner of Lincoln, NE, Avionics Technician
of the Year. FAA Administrator Marion C. Blakey will present these awards during EAA AirVenture 2005 in Oshkosh, WI. NBAA congratulates these winners
for their contributions to aviation safety and education. For more information, contact GenAviationAwds@aol.com.
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Aviation Community Marks Three-Year Anniversary of '.Aero' Domain
Three years after the introduction of the ".aero" domain, the number of active web sites is rising steadily, with many new companies and industry
associations choosing it as their domain of choice. The world's first industry-based top-level Internet domain name, .aero was developed in response
to the growing needs of the aviation community and is designed to create a structured, open and constantly evolving Internet naming architecture that
will help the industry to integrate systems and service, as well as to streamline communications within the community and with its partners. NBAA
Members qualify for an .aero domain name. This Member service is provided by NBAA through an affiliation with SITA, the leading provider of global
information technology and telecommunications solutions to the air transport and related industries. For more information, visit:
http://www.nbaa.aero
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Expected TFRs for Upcoming VIP Travel in Iowa, New
York
Operators should anticipate temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) for VIP travel this week. TFRs can be expected for the following areas: Cedar
Rapids, IA, on March 31 and New York, NY, on April 1. 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
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California Legislature Moves to Protect Airports
NBAA urges California-based Members to contact Assemblywoman Jackie Goldberg, chair, Assembly Committee on Education, and their local legislators in
support of California Assembly Bill (AB) 1358. This legislation is intended to close a loophole in state law allowing charter school development in
close proximity to airports. Incompatible land use near airports is a major threat to the future access to our air transport system. The bill is now
in the committee process, and local NBAA Member support is critical to protect our airport system. For state contact information, visit http://www.assembly.ca.gov and http://www.sen.ca.gov. For other
information, contact NBAA's Dan Burkhart at dburkhart@nbaa.org.
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Santa Maria Airport Close to Obtaining Customs Service
In cooperation with the Santa Maria Public Airport District, State of California and U.S. Customs, NBAA Members are close to obtaining Department of
Homeland Security (DHS) approval for user fee Customs service at Santa Maria Public Airport (SMX), giving NBAA Members additional options upon
returning to the United States from international locations. Located northwest of Santa Barbara, SMX is primed for growth with uninhibited access and
community support. SMX also is the closest California departure airport for Hawaiian destinations. If you have questions or wish to offer support,
contact Gary Rice, SMX general manager, airports, at grice@santamariaairport.com or NBAA's Dan
Burkhart at dburkhart@nbaa.org.
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Avoid Travel Delays in Tennessee This Week
In conjunction with this week's NASCAR Nextel series race in Bristol, TN, operators should expect heavier-than-usual traffic at Tri-Cities Regional
Airport (TRI), especially the afternoons of Thursday, March 31 and Sunday, April 3. Operators are advised to plan flights accordingly. For more
information, contact NBAA's Dean Saucier at dsaucier@nbaa.org.
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Connecticut Business Aviation Group to Meet Apr. 12
The Connecticut Business Aviation Group (CBAG) will hold its quarterly meeting on April 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Connecticut Fire
Academy. The guest speaker will be Gary Minor, director of state government affairs for United Technologies. Lunch will be served at this event,
which is open to the public. For more information, contact NBAA's Dean Saucier at dsaucier@nbaa.org.
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CAM Governing Board Meeting and Election Notice
The Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) Governing Board (GB) next will meet May 31 through June 2 at NBAA Headquarters in Washington, DC. This meeting
will be one of two scheduled meetings of the governing board to conduct the business of the Certified Aviation Manager Program as well as to elect
nominated individuals to serve designated positions on the board. The proceedings will be conducted in accordance with the CAMGB bylaws. For more
information on the election process or the CAM Program, contact CAM Administrative Director Jay Evans at jevans@nbaa.org. For more information about the CAM Program, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/cam
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Maintenance Management Conference Still Accepting Registrations,
Exhibitors
From April 10 to 12 at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, CO, NBAA will promote the theme "Take Your Knowledge to New Heights" at an event
solely focused on business aviation maintenance issues. The NBAA Maintenance Management Conference gives business aviation maintenance managers and
technicians the most up-to-date information on issues directly related to their roles in the corporate flight department. Experts will present
research results in various fields, including human factors, regulations, certification and other industry topics. Speakers will include NBAA
President and CEO Ed Bolen and Dr. Peter H. Diamandis, chairman, founder and president of the X Prize Foundation. Exhibit space is still available;
for more information, contact NBAA's Dina Green at dgreen@nbaa.org. To register or review the agenda, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/cs/mmc/200504
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PDP Course and Maintenance Manual Workshop Follow NBAA
Conference
NBAA will host a Professional Development Program (PDP) Course and Maintenance Manual Workshop on Wednesday, April 13 in conjunction with NBAA's
Maintenance Management Conference in Colorado Springs. The PDP Course will focus on interpersonal communications and be presented by an expert from
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. The Maintenance Manual Workshop will focus on maintenance record keeping and the development of a policies and
procedures manual designed specifically for the company's maintenance operations. These seminars require separate registration. For more information,
contact NBAA's Dina Green at dgreen@nbaa.org or visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/cs/mmc/200504
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NBAA Regional Forum Comes to New York Next Month
NBAA's next Business Aviation Regional Forum, to be held Thursday, April 21 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Republic Airport (FRG) in Farmingdale, NY,
will feature approximately 40 static aircraft, 60 Exhibitors and hundreds of Attendees from the greater New York area. This day-long learning and
networking experience will provide informational sessions on a variety of topics, including fatigue avoidance, very light jets (VLJs), supplemental
lift options, legal and regulatory issues, understanding WAAS/LAAS and aircraft resale issues. Attendees also will have an opportunity to meet NBAA
Northeast Regional Representative Dean Saucier, who will address the topic "Business Aviation Today" during the Forum's opening session. For more
information or to register, contact forums@nbaa.org or visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/cs/forums/20050421
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LABACE2005
March 31–April 2, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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NBAA Maintenance Management Conference
April 10–12, Colorado Springs, CO
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NBAA Maintenance Manual Workshop
April 13, Colorado Springs, CO
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NBAA Professional Development Program Course: Interpersonal Communications
April 13, Colorado Springs, CO
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NBAA Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) Examination
April 14, Colorado Springs, CO
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NBAA Business Aviation Regional Forum
April 21, Farmingdale, NY
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NBAA Emergency Response Planning Workshop
April 25–26, Orlando, FL
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NBAA Aviation Insurance & Financial Risk Management Seminar
April 26, Orlando, FL
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FSF/NBAA Corporate Aviation Safety Seminar
April 26–28, Orlando, FL
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NBAA Federal Tax Forum
May 13, Boston, MA
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EBACE2005
May 18–20, Geneva, Switzerland
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IS-BAO Implementation Workshop
June 2, Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN
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NBAA 10th Annual Flight Attendants Conference
June 17–18, Atlanta, GA
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NBAA Flight Operations Manual Workshop
June 20–21, San Francisco, CA
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NBAA Management Fundamentals for Flight Departments Workshop
June 22–23, San Francisco, CA
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Review the Full NBAA Events Calendar
http://www.nbaa.org/events
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Review Future NBAA Convention Dates
http://www.nbaa.org/conventions/futuresites.htm
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