| Business Aviation News & Issues |
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NBAA Applauds Congressional Proposal for Reopening DCA to
General Aviation
On April 6, NBAA hailed the introduction of House legislation to grant renewed access to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) for general
aviation aircraft operators. The legislation, HR 1496, was introduced by House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Don Young (R-At
Large- AK), Minority Ranking Member Jim Oberstar (D-8-MN), Aviation Subcommittee Chairman John Mica (R-7-FL), Subcommittee Ranking Member Jerry
Costello (D-12-IL), and Committee Member Del. Eleanor Holmes-Norton (D-DC). For more information, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/news/pr/2005/20050406-019.php
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Stone Leaving TSA; Further Changes Expected at Agency
Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Rear Admiral David M. Stone (USN-Ret.) will step down
in June, according to published reports. Stone is the third top administrator to leave the agency, which was created following the September 11,
2001, terrorist attacks. Changes at the TSA are expected as Michael Chertoff, the new Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, completes his
review of the department. NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen expressed gratitude for Stone's work in support of the Transportation Security
Administration Access Certificate (TSAAC), and other initiatives to restore access to airports and airspace for general aviation. "Admiral Stone has
been an effective partner with the business aviation community," Bolen said. "His approach to security policy has always taken into account the
importance of economic realities and individual liberties. NBAA thanks Admiral Stone for his contributions, and we look forward to working with his
successor in building on our efforts to restore full and reliable access to airspace and airports, including DCA, for business aircraft operators."
To learn more, contact NBAA's Lisa Piccione at lpiccione@nbaa.org or visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/govt/issues/tsaac.php
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House Aviation Subcommittee to Hold Hearing on FAA ATO This Thursday
On Thursday, April 14, the House Aviation Subcommittee will hold a hearing on "Transforming the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA): a Review of
the Air Traffic Organization (ATO) and the Joint Program Development Office." Those scheduled to speak include representatives from the Department of
Transportation and the FAA, the DOT Inspector General, and officials with the Government Accountability Office, the National Air Traffic Controllers
Association, the Aerospace Industries Association, and the Professional Airways System Specialists. This hearing originally was scheduled for April 7
and was postponed until this week. NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen still is expected to testify before the Subcommittee at a separate hearing
tentatively scheduled for May 4. For more information, contact NBAA's Lisa Piccione at lpiccione@nbaa.org.
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New Passport Requirements to Enter United
States
As a result of mandates contained in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, new requirements to enter the United States
will begin taking effect in late 2005. Starting December 31, 2005, U.S., Canadian and Bermudan nationals will be required to have a valid passport or
other secure, accepted form of documentation when entering the United States by air or sea from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Central America or South
America. Effective December 31, 2006, this requirement will be extended to include all air and sea travelers to or from Mexico and Canada. At all
air, sea and land border crossings this requirement will go in effect on December 31, 2007. For more information, visit the U.S. Department of
State's web site at:
http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2225.html
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Business Aviation Attendance Encouraged at FAA ATC/Customer Sessions
The FAA ATC System Command Center and its customers will hold six Collaborative Traffic Flow Management sessions to focus on the upcoming severe
weather season and review procedures, new initiatives, and national and regional issues. One-day sessions on May 17 and 18 will be hosted by Business
Jet Center at Dallas Love Field (DAL); sessions on May 24 and 25 will be held at Honeywell Corporate Headquarters in Morristown, NJ; and sessions on
June 15 and 16 will be hosted by America West Headquarters in Phoenix, AZ. Two main panels will lead the discussion, an FAA panel and a customer
panel, which will include business aviation schedulers, dispatchers and pilots. The FAA strongly encourages NBAA Members to attend these free
sessions, but space is limited. For more information or to RSVP, contact NBAA's Jo Damato at jdamato@nbaa.org.
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Proper Procedures Clarified for CDR Test Program Participants
Upon further discussion, NBAA and the FAA have agreed that all pilots participating in the CDR test program at TEB/HPN/MMU should revert to the
original coded departure route (CDR) procedure, where a pilot only should file "CDR Capable" in the Remarks section of their flight plan if CDRs
exist for that flight plan's city pair. Also, if CDRs do not exist for a city pair, do not file to a city with a CDR in order to obtain an
abbreviated clearance and then change destination in the air. This will not result in delay savings and will cause confusion and skew data
collection. Participation in this New York-area test program is critical to its success and national expansion. For more information, contact NBAA's
Jo Damato at jdamato@nbaa.org or download the following:
http://www.nbaa.org/ops/airspace/cdr/CDRProceduresGA200409.pdf
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Customs and Border Protection Releases Final Rule for APIS
On April 7, Customs & Border Protection (CBP) released the final rule, "Electronic Transmission of Passenger and Crew Manifests for Vessels and
Aircraft." This rule amends the existing CBP regulations for transmission of crew and passenger information through the Advance Passenger Information
System (APIS). In addition to the current requirement for transmission of manifest information for passengers and crew members onboard commercial
vessels and aircraft in advance of arrival in the United States, effective June 6, 2005, operators must transmit information in advance of departure
from the United States. An APIS transmission also will be required for crew members and non-crew members onboard commercial aircraft that overfly the
United States. For more information, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/apis
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Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) Tax Extended
Set to expire on April 1, 2005, the leaking underground storage tank (LUST) tax, which pays for cleaning up environmental damage caused by leaking
storage tanks and is assessed on aviation gas and jet fuel at a rate of $0.001 per gallon, was extended for six months. HR 1270, which provided for
the extension, passed the U.S. House of Representatives on March 16 and U.S. Senate on March 17; President Bush signed the Act on March 31 and it
became Public Law No. 109-006. The LUST tax now is set to expire on October 1, 2005. For more information, attend NBAA's next Federal Tax Forum (see
http://www.nbaa.org/cs/fedtax/20050513) or visit the NBAA Federal Excise Tax
Handbook online at:
http://www.nbaa.org/fet
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Canadian Enforcement of Criminally Inadmissible
Flightcrew
Since 9/11, Immigration Canada has been enforcing legislation denying a foreign national admission to Canada based on the grounds of previous serious
criminal activity, which applies to any individual who has a previous conviction outside of Canada that if committed in Canada, would be an offense
punishable under Canadian law by a term of imprisonment of up to 10 years. As a result, foreign pilots with a previous driving under the influence
(DUI) conviction can be prevented entry. NBAA Members recently have reported increased vigilance by Canadian authorities on aircraft being cleared at
general aviation facilities. The ability of a pilot to remain in Canada is at the discretion of the immigration officer, and many pilots have been
required to leave Canada immediately. Immigration Canada does have a process for "deemed rehabilitation," which essentially requires a five-year
period from the date of the last conviction. For more information, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/intl/NAM/CANdeportation.htm
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FSF Awards Call for Nominations
The Flight Safety Foundation (FSF) annual safety awards program recognizes individual and group achievements in aviation safety. Recipients of these
prestigious international awards are selected by independent selection boards from among candidates nominated by aviation professionals and
organizations worldwide. The FSF invites NBAA Members to submit nominations for these awards. For more information, contact membership@flightsafety.org or visit:
http://www.flightsafety.org/awards.html
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Five Weeks to Go Until EBACE
The 5th Annual European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE2005) will be held May 18 through 20 at the Geneva Palexpo Conference
Center located immediately adjacent to the Geneva International Airport. This event, the only exhibition to focus exclusively on business aviation in
Europe, will feature close to 250 Exhibitors and 40 aircraft. Displaying their wares will be business aircraft manufacturers, avionics firms,
handling organizations, fractional providers, charter/lease companies and previously titled aircraft resellers. Attendees will have the opportunity
to examine state-of-the- art equipment first-hand and speak directly to EASA, Eurocontrol, European Commission and FAA representatives. For more
information or to register, visit:
http://www.ebace.aero
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LABACE2005 Photo Galleries Now Online
Photos from the 3rd Annual Latin American Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (LABACE2005) held earlier this month now are online at:
http://www.labace.aero/galleries
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Next NBAA Regional Forum Less Than Two Weeks Away
Republic Airport (FRG) in Farmingdale, NY, is the site of NBAA's next Business Aviation Regional Forum, which is expected to draw 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. This event represents the fourth NBAA Regional Forum in a row to sell out of exhibit space. Currently, more than 75
Exhibitors have registered for this event, and approximately 40 aircraft will be on display. For more information or to register, contact forums@nbaa.org or visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/cs/forums/20050421
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TFR for Upcoming VIP Travel
A temporary flight restriction (TFR) has been issued for Fort Hood, TX, on April 12. There is also the possibility of a TFR being issued for the
Washington, DC area on April 14. 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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Hilton Head Airport Approaches to Minimize Noise
The MCI Heritage golf tournament is scheduled this week from April 11 to 17 at Hilton Head Island, SC. NBAA Members attending this event are advised
that Hilton Head Airport (HXD) is concerned about minimizing aircraft noise at all times, and especially for this event. The airport and community
are requesting that pilots use the following: Landing runway 3, utilize the GPS-3 approach; landing runway 21, utilize the LOC approach; or as
directed by the tower. These approaches will keep aircraft away from the more populated areas. For more information about noise abatement issues,
visit the NBAA web site at:
http://www.nbaa.org/quietflying
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Avoid Travel Delays in Fort Worth Area This Week
The Texas Motor Speedway in Justin, TX is the site of this weekend's NASCAR race. Expect added air traffic and congestion from Thursday, April 14 to
Sunday, April 17, especially at Fort Worth Alliance (AFW). For more information, contact NBAA's Dean Saucier at dsaucier@nbaa.org.
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Tri-State Area Dispatchers Group to Meet Tomorrow
The next meeting of the Tri-State Area Dispatchers Group (serving Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware) will be from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on
April 12 at the Atlantic Aviation conference room at Philadelphia International (PHL). For more information, contact Trish Jones at (215) 365-2555 or
NBAA's Dean Saucier at dsaucier@nbaa.org.
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50th Annual Corporate Aviation Safety Seminar Starts in Two
Weeks
The Corporate Aviation Safety Seminar (CASS), co-sponsored by Flight Safety Foundation and NBAA, is recognized as the premier forum for the
discussion and exchange of safety information for business aviation operators. Each of the seminar presentations aims to deliver specific information
that can be applied directly to business aviation operations. This year's 50th Annual CASS will be held April 26 to 28 in Orlando, FL, and topics
will include human factors, proactive cabin safety, risk management for the very light jet (VLJ), airborne collision avoidance systems and
maintenance. The event will be held in conjunction with an NBAA Emergency Response Planning Workshop on April 25 and 26 and an NBAA Aviation
Insurance & Financial Risk Management Seminar on April 26. To learn more or register for any of these events, visit:
http://www.flightsafety.org/seminars.html#cass
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Federal Tax Forum Focuses on Issues Affecting Business
Aviation
Given the special focus recently on corporate governance issues at American companies, there has been increasing concern about compliance with
Federal tax, securities and aviation regulations. The NBAA Tax Committee is pleased to present a Federal Tax Forum designed to provide an
intermediate-to- advanced overview and discussion of a variety of Federal tax and related issues affecting business aircraft ownership and
operations. This event will be held in Boston on May 13. Learn more or register at:
http://www.nbaa.org/cs/fedtax/20050513
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Flight Ops Manuals and Management Fundamentals the Focus of Two June
Workshops
NBAA is offering two Professional Development Program-approved Workshops this June in San Francisco. The NBAA Flight Operations Manual Workshop on
June 20 and 21 uses the new International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) as the basis for providing participants with all
materials needed to develop or update an excellent flight operations manual, custom tailored to your operations. And whether you are just moving into
the management ranks or have been there awhile, the NBAA Management Fundamentals for Flight Departments Workshop on June 22 and 23 will offer you new
ways of achieving excellence. Practical, proven techniques are presented and discussed to make your flight department more effective and efficient.
To learn more or register for either event, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/events
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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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