| Business Aviation News & Issues |
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NBAA Member Tells Congress: Modernize Aviation System With Fuel Tax
Rick Hale, president and CEO of NBAA Member Winner Aviation, testified before House members on August 1 that the general aviation (GA) community
supports air traffic control modernization, but wants to continue to pay at the pump through fuel taxes rather than user fees or some other new tax.
In addition to testifying, Hale read from a letter opposing user fees sent by James Martin, president of Martin's Pastry Shoppe, another NBAA Member.
"General aviation opposes user fees or any proposal that would shift costs from these small businesses to give others – in this case the major
airlines – a huge tax break," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. To review Hale's testimony, Martin's letter and the related press release,
visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/gov
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NBAA Again Challenges Airline Misstatements About GA and User
Fees
While members of Congress are at home during August, the airlines are stepping up their attacks on general aviation. As the latest example, Delta Air
Lines has followed several other carriers in promoting false and misleading statements about general aviation in its in-flight magazine and e-mail
messages to frequent fliers. Delta's messages play to passengers frustrated with record airline delays in an attempt to convince Congress to shift
billions of airline costs onto general aviation and introduce new user fees. Read NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen's letter to Delta CEO Gerald
Grinstein, along with letters Bolen has written to other airlines, at:
http://www.nbaa.org/govt/userfees/20070716.php
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House Committee Clears Measure for Airport Employee Screening Pilot Program
The U.S. House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee last week approved legislation (H.R.1413) to create a pilot program to evaluate the
screening of airport employees with access to secure and sterile areas of airports. The legislation requires the Transportation Security
Administration to implement a physical security screening program at seven air carrier airports to measure the effectiveness and local operational
impacts of airport employee screening. The bill now awaits consideration by the full House of Representatives. For additional information, contact
NBAA's Dick Doubrava at rdoubrava@nbaa.org.
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U.S. Customs Testing for Radiation on Arrival
Several NBAA Members have reported that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection is conducting a trial in which arriving international flights are
being monitored for nuclear radiation before clearance. Operators are being asked to shut down the aircraft during these inspections (even with
passengers onboard), while a customs agent uses a Geiger counter to test the aircraft inside and out. It is not known when or whether these radiation
inspections will cease. For more information or to provide additional feedback, contact the NBAA Operations Service Group at info@nbaa.org.
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ICAO Guidance on Prevention of Communicable Diseases
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) recently adopted an amendment (Amendment 20) to Annex 9, including provisions to protect
passengers and crew from, and stop the spread of, communicable diseases during international travel. Specifically, the amendment requires that
suspected diseases be reported promptly to air traffic services by the pilot-in-command. The system is designed to provide early notice for any
special medical personnel and equipment necessary to mitigate public health risks on arrival. For more information, view the ICAO letter at:
http://www.nbaa.org/news/update/?0807_cdn
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DOT Releases SIFL Rates for Remainder of 2007
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) recently released Standard Industry Fare Level (SIFL) rates for the six-month period from July 1 to
December 31. These data are necessary when applying the IRS's aircraft valuation formula to compute the value of non-business transportation aboard
employer-provided aircraft. The data also are needed to impute the income of the traveling employee, as required by the Internal Revenue Service
Rules Section 1.61-21(g). NBAA Members may access the SIFL rates and NBAA's Personal Use Calculator, which assists flight departments with valuation
of personal trips, at:
http://web.nbaa.org/member/ops/taxes/sifl/2007-7.php
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New Orleans Lakefront Tower Reopens
New Orleans Lakefront Tower reopened July 30 for the first time since Hurricane Katrina shut down the airport's operations. Without the tower, the
airport was handling 160 operations a day. With the tower now operational, traffic is expected to climb rapidly, and business operators requiring a
tower now will be able to return to Lakefront. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), three controllers and one supervisor will
staff the tower until new controllers are brought in and trained. The tower will operate daily from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on 119.9. Clearance
delivery is combined with ground control on 121.7 and remote clearance on 127.4. Check NOTAMs for updates. For more information, contact NBAA's Steve
Hadley at shadley@nbaa.org.
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GBAA 2007 Safety Day on Aug. 21 to Feature NBAA's Doug Carr
The Georgia Business Aviation Association (GBAA) 2007 Safety Day is scheduled for August 21 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Marriott Century
Center in Atlanta, GA. The program will include topics on safety culture, human factor issues for flight, simulator-based training, and maintenance
and facility safety. NBAA's Doug Carr, vice president, safety & regulation, will be the featured luncheon speaker. Bob Agostino from Bombardier
and Greg Feith from the National Transportation Safety Board also will speak at the event. Program Attendees will receive one point of credit for the
Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) application. Attendees already CAM certified will receive one point toward recertification. For more information,
contact NBAA's Harry Houckes at hhouckes@nbaa.org, or to register, visit the GBAA web site at:
http://www.gbaa.org
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FAA Indianapolis Center to Host Customer Meeting on Business Aviation
The FAA Indianapolis Center will host a customer meeting on August 9 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. The meeting will focus on business aviation
activity at Cincinnati metropolitan area airports as a follow-up to meetings held at Lunkin Field earlier this year. Tours of the operations floor
will be provided after the meeting. NBAA Members wishing to attend must RSVP as soon as possible to stephen.r.lutomski@faa.gov. Members with desired agenda items should forward requests immediately to Joe
Loewenstein at loewenstein.j@pg.com. For more information, contact NBAA's Bob Quinn at bquinn@nbaa.org.
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FAA Philadelphia Customer Meeting Aug. 9
The FAA Philadelphia Air Traffic Control (ATC) will hold a customer meeting on August 9 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:20 p.m. at the FAA Building on Hog
Island Road in Philadelphia, PA. The meeting agenda will include updates on ATC operations, Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) operations and
the National Air Services system. NBAA Members wishing to attend should e-mail Warren Strickland at warren.strickland@faa.gov as soon as possible. For more information, contact NBAA's Bob Lamond at rlamond@nbaa.org.
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FAA Houston Center Customer Meeting Aug. 16
The FAA Houston Center will host a customer meeting on August 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Continental Airlines Inflight Training Center at
4375 Wright Road in Houston, TX. Several topics are slated for the agenda and include an update on Houston Air Route Traffic Control Center, George
Bush International-Houston Airport (IAH) TRACON, IAH arrival and departure configurations and Mexico traffic flow management. NBAA Members wishing to
attend should RSVP to Lisa Smalley at lisa.smalley@faa.gov. For more information, contact David Conley at
david.conley@faa.gov or NBAA's Bob Lamond at rlamond@nbaa.org.
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Deadline Approaching for NBAA Journalism
Scholarship
NBAA is accepting applications for the David W. Ewald Scholarship through August 15. The scholarship, which will be presented for the first time at
NBAA's 60th Annual Meeting & Convention (NBAA2007) in September, will recognize a promising high school or college student planning a career in
journalism, preferably with an aviation focus. The scholarship was named this past April in honor of David W. Ewald, a beloved journalist and figure
in business aviation for nearly 50 years. Donations for the scholarship fund still are being accepted. To make a donation, contact NBAA's LaKiesha
Browder at lbrowder@nbaa.org. For more information, contact NBAA's Jay Evans at jevans@nbaa.org, or download the application at:
http://www.nbaa.org/education/scholarships/ewald
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Register Online in Advance for NBAA2007 and Save
The NBAA 60th Annual Meeting & Convention is expected to draw thousands of Attendees from around the world to Atlanta, GA, this September 25
through 27. Celebrating NBAA's 60th anniversary and several other industry milestones, the event will be located at the Georgia World Congress
Center. The Convention will feature a Static Display of nearly 100 aircraft at Fulton County Airport-Brown Field (FTY), along with over 100
Information Sessions and 1,140 Exhibitors. Advance registration is now available online for $135; on-site registration is $160. Those registering
ahead of time will be able to pick up badges, badge-holders and lanyards at the self-registration kiosks. To register in advance, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/2007/register
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Hundreds Needed to Help NBAA Build a Playground in
Atlanta
To commemorate its 60th anniversary and the Georgia centennial of flight, NBAA is partnering with several organizations to build an aviation-themed
playground for the children of Atlanta, host city of NBAA2007. KaBOOM!, a national non-profit organization that envisions a great place to play
within walking distance of every child in America, will design and orchestrate the build. The Home Depot and members of the local community also will
lend their support to construct the playground. The project will take place on Sunday, September 23 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and will need 500
volunteers. NBAA is calling on Members, their coworkers and customers for help. For more information, e-mail NBAA2007volunteers@nbaa.org, or to be a volunteer, register online at:
http://www.nbaa.org/events/amc/2007/kaboom
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Benefit Gala to Feature 3rd Annual Live Auction, Sept. 26
One of the highlights of this year's Annual Meeting & Convention will be the Benefit Gala, scheduled for the evening of Wednesday, September 26,
in the Murphy Ballroom of the Georgia World Congress Center. The Benefit Gala not only will feature the 3rd Annual Live Auction but also world- class
entertainment by Huey Lewis and the News. All proceeds from the evening will benefit NBAA Charities, a charitable fund established to provide support
to worthy causes in the business aviation community. NBAA still is accepting donations for the auction. To donate an item, contact NBAA's Dina Green
at dgreen@nbaa.org. To learn more about the Benefit Gala, or to purchase tickets, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/events/amc/2007/gala
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11th Annual Charity Golf Classic Open for Registration
This year's NBAA Chairman's Charity Classic Golf Tournament will be held at Stone Mountain Golf Club in Stone Mountain, GA, on Sunday, September 23.
The 11th annual event, held in conjunction with NBAA's 60th Annual Meeting & Convention, will be hosted by NBAA Chairman Ken Emerick to benefit
NBAA Charities and has raised nearly $350,000 since its inception in 1997. The day will begin with a continental breakfast at 6:30 a.m., followed by
a shotgun start at 8:00 a.m. and an awards luncheon at 1:00 p.m. To learn more about this year's Classic, including sponsorship opportunities, or to
register, visit:
http://web.nbaa.org/golf
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NBAA Announces Revival of Plaque & Certificate Program
In honor of NBAA's 60th anniversary and to thank Members for their support throughout the years, NBAA is reviving its Member Plaque & Certificate
program. In the coming weeks, Members should receive an updated NBAA Membership certificate. New Members will receive a plaque and certificate. For
Members who need to replace an original plaque, for a limited time, NBAA also is offering a replacement plaque free of charge. For more information,
contact NBAA's Membership Division at membership@nbaa.org.
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Chairman's Charity Classic Golf Tournament
September 23, 2007, Stone Mountain, GA
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Emergency Response Planning Workshop
September 23–24, 2007, Atlanta, GA
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Management Fundamentals for Flight Departments Workshop
September 23–24, 2007, Atlanta, GA
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Professional Development Program (PDP) Course: Aviation Resource Management
September 23–24, 2007, Atlanta, GA
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16th Annual Tax, Regulatory & Risk Management Conference
September 23–24, 2007, Atlanta, GA
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Professional Development Program (PDP) Course: Mastering Communication Skills
September 24, 2007, Atlanta, GA
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Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) Exam
September 24, 2007, Atlanta, GA
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60th Annual Meeting & Convention (NBAA2007)
September 25–27, 2007, Atlanta, GA
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Maintenance Manual Workshop
September 28, 2007, Atlanta, GA
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Flight Operations Manual Workshop
September 28–29, 2007, Atlanta, GA
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11th Annual Safety Standdown
October 22–25, 2007, Wichita, KS
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Business Aviation Regional Forum
November 8, 2007, Oakland, CA
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IS-BAO Implementation Workshop
November 9, 2007, Oakland, 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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