| Business Aviation News & Issues |
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Tax Relief Act of 2005 Slated for Further Consideration;
Members Urged to Oppose Harmful Legislative Proposals for Industry
Congress has convened a House-Senate Conference Committee to consider H.R. 4297, the Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act of 2005. The Senate
version of the bill contains two very harmful proposals for business aviation. One provision expands limitations on entertainment use of business
aircraft to all employees, rather than just senior executives. A second provision substantially increases taxes for any personal use of a company
plane, abolishing the Standard Industry Fare Level (SIFL) valuation. With possible House and Senate meetings as early as this week, NBAA urges
Members who have not yet voiced opposition to the proposals to do so by visiting:
http://www.nbaa.org/govt/action/?ISSUE=nbaa0006
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NBAA Succeeds in Favorable DOT Part 375 Rulemaking
Initiative
Last week, the Department of Transportation (DOT) published a final rule amending FAR Part 375, which relates to foreign civil aircraft operations
within the United States for aircraft not engaged in common carriage. NBAA petitioned the DOT, advocating that it exclude certain business aviation
activities using U.S.-registered foreign civil aircraft from the requirements and restrictions of Part 375. DOT agreed with NBAA and, effective April
27, intra-company chargebacks, interchange agreements, joint ownership structures and time-sharing agreements may be permitted. For more information,
review the final rule at:
http://www.nbaa.org/ops/taxes/pt375rule.pdf
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NBAA Favorably Influences FAA's New Operational Control/Wet Lease
Opspec
NBAA has been actively engaged since last fall in a policy initiative that will affect all Part 135 operators. After numerous meetings with NBAA and
National Air Transportation Association representatives, the FAA is developing a new operations specification to be released this summer that will
clarify issues of operational control and wet leases. In preparation for the opspec's release, the FAA is conducting a series of briefing sessions to
educate FAA inspectors, Part 135 certificate holders and aircraft owners on issues surrounding managed aircraft charter, with a specific focus on
operational control, wet leasing and fictitious business names. NBAA will participate in all 10 planned outreach sessions, the first of which was
held March 29 in Las Vegas. For further details, visit:
http://web.nbaa.org/member/ops/part135/wetlease
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FAA General Aviation and Air Taxi Activity and Avionics Survey Underway
In the coming weeks, all turbine aircraft owners and a random sampling of piston aircraft owners will receive the FAA's annual General Aviation and
Air Taxi Activity and Avionics (GAATAA) Survey. This serves as the FAA's only source for important information on the general aviation and
non-scheduled Part 135 fleet, the number of hours flown and the reasons people use general aviation aircraft. Data collected with this survey are
essential to calculating accident rates, helping to determine funding for infrastructure and service needs, and forming the basis for critical
research and analysis of aviation issues. NBAA strongly encourages owners to take this opportunity to contribute to quality aviation data; please
respond if you receive a postcard or letter inviting you to take part in this important study. Accurate representation and full participation benefit
the entire aviation community.
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Dallas Regional Forum Poised to Be a Record-Breaker on Apr.
13
NBAA's next Business Aviation Regional Forum, slated for April 13 at Dallas Love Field (DAL) in Texas, is expected to be the largest yet, with 1,200
projected Attendees, 75 confirmed Exhibitors and more than 25 static aircraft. At Business Jet Center, located on the airport, compelling
informational sessions will focus on very light jets, aircraft acquisition, safety best practices and legislative priorities for the business
aviation community. Additionally, FAA Air Traffic Control (ATC) management personnel and NBAA GA Desk employees will co-host a booth to answer
questions about air traffic management procedures in the Southwest, and explain how NBAA GA Desk services complement FAA ATC initiatives. Learn more
about this event or register online at:
http://www.nbaa.org/cs/forums/20060413/
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What Is the Operational Information System (OIS)?
The FAA's Air Traffic Control System Command Center (ATCSCC) maintains a web page that provides the status of the National Airspace System, lists
current traffic management initiatives and provides links to many other valuable operational subjects of concern to schedulers, dispatchers and
pilots. That web page is known as the Operational Information System, or OIS. The OIS displays information on numerous subjects, including ground
delay programs, ground stops, airport closures and deicing delays. The OIS is a free online product that is available at http://www.fly.faa.gov/ois. For a better understanding of the different terms, techniques and programs
associated with traffic flow management, operators may download the FAA publication "Traffic Management for Flight Ops Personnel" from the ATCSCC web
site at:
http://www.fly.faa.gov/Products/products.jsp
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Local Efforts Result in New Procedure at Connecticut's OXC
As a result of the collaborative efforts of the Connecticut Business Aviation Group, NBAA and FAA, a new procedure soon will be implemented at
Waterbury-Oxford Airport (OXC) in Oxford, CT. Within the next few weeks, a change will occur that will enable NY TRACON to control operations from
the surface to 6,000 ft. Bradley Control will handle aircraft from 6,000 ft. until transition to Boston Center. Additionally, once the Riverhead
Radar utilization is established, NY TRACON will assume radar coverage responsibilities from 3,000 ft. north of OXC to facilitate running approaches
to Runway 18 when using radar. The Riverhead Radar will enable NY TRACON the ability to use radar to the surface, which previously was questionable.
For more information, contact NBAA's Dean Saucier at dsaucier@nbaa.org.
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Runway Options at Florida's Witham Field to Be Decided on Apr. 11
Martin County Commissioners will meet on April 11 to decide which runway safety area option to implement at Witham Field (SUA) in Stuart, FL. Several
of the proposed options would result in shortening the usable runway length and limiting business aircraft operations at the airport. The meeting
will be held at 10:00 a.m. at 2401 SE Monterey Rd., Stuart, FL 34996. Operators throughout the state should plan to attend and make their voices
heard. Letters of support to maintain the current runway length should be sent to the five Martin County Commissioners at the above address. For more
information on the county commission, visit http://www.martin.fl.us. For more information on SUA, contact Dave
Smith at (772) 781-4720 or dsmith@GalaxyAviation.com or NBAA's Harry Houckes at hhouckes@nbaa.org.
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NBAA's Steve Brown to Speak at DC-Area Luncheon This Friday
The Greater Washington Business Aviation Association (GWBAA) will hold a luncheon meeting from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Friday, April 7, in the new
Flight Works Hangar at Manassas Regional Airport (HEF) in Virginia. NBAA Senior Vice President of Operations Steve Brown will cover a wide range of
topics affecting the business aviation community in his presentation and be available for audience questions. To RSVP, send your name, company name
and telephone number to GWBAA's Bob Blouin at info@gwbaa.com. For more information, visit the GWBAA web site at
http://www.gwbaa.com or contact NBAA's Harry Houckes at hhouckes@nbaa.org.
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Arizona Aviation Forum and Golf Benefit Is This Week
This April, the Arizona Business Aviation Association (AZBAA) will host its 5th Annual Aviation Forum and Golf Benefit at the Orange Tree Golf Resort
in Scottsdale. NBAA Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Lisa Piccione will discuss critical issues in business aviation at the forum on April
7, while the charity golf tournament and banquet will be held on April 8. For more information, visit the AZBAA web site at http://www.azbaa.org or contact NBAA's Dan Burkhart at dburkhart@nbaa.org.
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New York Luncheon to Feature Industry Leaders on Apr. 26
NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen will join Eclipse Aviation CEO Vern Raburn and FAA Deputy Administrator Robert Sturgell at the Westchester Aviation
Association's (WAA's) 3rd Annual Business-Aviation Luncheon, a community event designed to showcase the involvement of businesses and aviation in
humanitarian and educational initiatives. The luncheon will include a display of very light jets and honor organizations involved with the WAA
Aviation Career Fair as well as two charitable organizations, Corporate Angel Network and Angel Flight Northeast. The event will take place on
Wednesday, April 26, at 11:00 a.m. in Hangar E at Westchester County Airport (HPN), 85 Tower Rd., White Plains, NY. NBAA Members are invited to
attend by contacting NBAA's Benjamin Schwalen by April 15 at bschwalen@nbaa.org.
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International Operators Conference Survey Results and Presentations
Online
At the NBAA 33rd Annual International Operators Conference in Tampa, FL, last month, the Association's International Operators Committee asked
Attendees to answer questions concerning crew rest issues as they pertain to their own international operations. The survey indicates that most
business aviation operators have special considerations that they apply to international operations. Committee member Gary Dietz coordinated the
survey and provided results to the more than 500 Attendees during the Conference. The survey results are now published, along with more than 35
Conference PowerPoint presentations, on the NBAA web site at:
http://www.nbaa.org/cs/ioc/2006
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Maintenance Management Events Offered This Month in Dallas
NBAA encourages current and aspiring maintenance managers to register for the Maintenance Management Conference to be held April 18 and 19 in Dallas,
TX. This event provides Attendees with the most up-to-date information on issues directly related to their role in the corporate flight department,
and it also qualifies as an approved FAA I.A. Renewal course, good for eight hours. Sessions will cover aircraft maintenance outsourcing, future
cabin technology, emergency response plans, satellite communications, leadership and many other topics. Additionally, 30 tabletop exhibits will
display products or services directly involved with the maintenance of business aircraft. Pre-Conference networking events will be held April 17 and
two additional seminars of interest to maintenance personnel will be offered on April 20. For the full agenda or to register, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/cs/mmc/200604
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CAMs May Earn Re-Certification Points at Conference
Two NBAA Professional Development Program (PDP) Courses are being offered in conjunction with the upcoming NBAA Maintenance Management Conference in
Dallas, TX, offering valuable opportunities for Certified Aviation Managers (CAMs) who wish to renew their certification. "Dynamics of Empowered
Leadership" will be offered on April 18 and 19 as an integral part of the Conference proceedings. This segment of the Conference meets PDP Objective
L3 and is worth three points toward CAM re-certification. "Applied Economics and Marketing" will be held on April 20, the day following the
conclusion of the Conference. This Course meets PDP Objective BA4 and counts as two points toward re-certification. For more information on
re-certification requirements, contact NBAA at cam@nbaa.org. To learn more or register for these events, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/cs/mmc/200604
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CAM Governing Board to Hold Elections
The Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) Governing Board will hold its upcoming meeting and elections from May 30 to June 1 at NBAA Headquarters in
Washington, DC. The goals of the meeting are to elect individuals nominated to be on the governing board, update the CAM Exam and administer other
aspects of the CAM Program. Since the governing board's last meeting in October 2005, 15 individuals have earned the CAM designation. The next two
CAM Exams will be held on April 20 in Dallas following the NBAA Maintenance Management Conference and on October 16 prior to the NBAA Annual Meeting
& Convention in Orlando. Direct questions to NBAA at cam@nbaa.org, or visit the CAM web site at:
http://www.nbaa.org/cam
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Compensation & Benchmark Survey Deadline Is Apr. 17
The NBAA Compensation & Benchmark Survey was developed to help NBAA Member Representatives and their company salary administrators
evaluate their flight departments by providing a comprehensive review of aviation department personnel salaries and operational data. The 2006
edition of this survey is now underway, and all NBAA Member Representatives for companies that operate aircraft are eligible to participate.
Participants will receive free online access to survey results once compiled. The deadline for completing the survey is April 17. For more
information, contact NBAA's Sarah Dicke at sdicke@nbaa.org or visit:
https://secure.nbaa.org/member/ops/cbs
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Business Aviation Regional Forum
April 13, 2006, Dallas, TX
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Maintenance Management Conference
April 17–19, 2006, Dallas, TX
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Maintenance Manual Workshop
April 20, 2006, Dallas, TX
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Professional Development Program Course: Applied Economics and Marketing
April 20, 2006, Dallas, TX
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6th Annual European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE2006)
May 3–5, 2006, Geneva, Switzerland
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Emergency Response Planning Workshop
May 8–9, 2006, Phoenix, AZ
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FSF/NBAA 51st Annual Corporate Aviation Safety Seminar
May 9–11, 2006, Phoenix, AZ
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Business Aviation Taxes Forum
June 2, 2006, San Francisco, CA
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Business Aviation Regional Forum
June 8, 2006, Washington, DC
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IS-BAO Implementation Workshop
June 9, Washington, DC
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Flight Operations Manual Workshop
June 19–20, 2006, Denver, CO
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Management Fundamentals for Flight Departments Workshop
June 21–22, 2006, Denver, CO
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11th Annual Flight Attendants Conference
June 23–24, 2006, Denver, CO
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4th Annual Latin American Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (LABACE2006)
August 10–12, 2006, São Paulo, Brazil
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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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