| Business Aviation News & Issues |
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User Fee Debate Will Carry Into 2008
As NBAA Members know, the general aviation community spent 2007 focused on congressional "reauthorization" (or funding) for the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), and it appears this focus will continue into 2008. In the time since the government's fiscal year expired on September 30,
Congress has approved short-term extensions for the FAA. The current extension expires on December 21. This week, the House and Senate are scheduled
to consider an additional extension that will continue FAA taxes through February 29. "This means the FAA reauthorization debate will continue into
next year, along with the need to make sure business aviation is heard on the issue," NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen said. To use NBAA's Contact
Congress resource, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/userfees
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President Signs Bill to Raise Pilot Retirement Age to 65
On December 13, President Bush signed into law HR 4343, the Fair Treatment for Experienced Pilots Act, which amends title 49 of the United States
Code to modify age standards for pilots engaged in FAR Part 121 operations, raising the mandatory retirement age from 60 to 65. Pilots who fly
business aircraft under FAR Part 91 or 135 do not have a mandatory retirement age, but since some Part 91 and 135 operators rely on aspects of Part
121 to guide their flight department policies, NBAA Members should take note of this legislation. NBAA will report further developments on this topic
as they become available. For additional information, contact NBAA's Operations Service Group at info@nbaa.org, or
visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/ops/adm/age60.php
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House Passes Legislation to Create Airport Employee Screening Pilot Program
The U.S. House of Representatives has 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 conducting airport employee screening.
A similar bill is currently pending before the Senate Commerce Committee. For additional information, contact NBAA's Dick Doubrava at rdoubrava@nbaa.org.
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FAA Issues SAFO on Training Requirements for Cessna
Caravan Flight Into Icing
The FAA has released a safety alert for operators (SAFO) that addresses specific training requirements for pilots of Cessna Caravan aircraft (CE-208
and CE-208B) for flight into icing conditions. Previously, an FAA airworthiness directive (AD) 2007-10-15 required the incorporation of supplemental
information into the Caravan Pilot Operating Handbook (POH) and Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) by June 21, 2007. Each pilot in command of
a Cessna Caravan aircraft must successfully complete the required training within the preceding 12 calendar months for any flight into known or
forecasted icing conditions. Currently, Cessna Aircraft Company is the specified provider of this training. For additional information, download the
SAFO at:
http://www.nbaa.org/ops/safety/icing/safo07009.pdf
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FAA Releases NOTAMs for Super Bowl in Glendale, AZ
Anticipating an increased demand for both commercial and general aviation operations in conjunction with Super Bowl XLII, the FAA has released the
temporary flight restriction (TFR) notices to airmen (NOTAMs) for the event, which will take place on February 3 in Glendale, AZ. While there will
not be a special traffic management program (STMP) put into place, users can expect to see some form of traffic management initiatives (TMIs) into
the Phoenix area. Further details, including the Super Bowl TFR restrictions, can be found on the NBAA web site at:
http://www.nbaa.org/ops/superbowl.php
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"Pay-for-Service" Customs Clearance Enacted at Carlsbad Airport
After four years of planning and construction and continued efforts by NBAA Members working with the County of San Diego Department of Airports and
the Department of Homeland Security, Carlsbad Airport (CRQ) will begin "pay-for-service" customs clearance on January 15. Carlsbad's Jet Source,
Premier Jet, Western Flight and NBAA operating Members believe that clearings at CRQ will make international operations more efficient, while
reducing congestion and unnecessary technical stops, enhancing safety and saving time and money. Check with CRQ service providers for additional
details, or for more information, contact NBAA's Dan Burkhart at dburkhart@nbaa.org.
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TKI in McKinney, TX Resumes Normal Operations
Collin County Regional Airport (TKI) in McKinney, TX is fully operational after a month of reconstruction and maintenance. The construction period
started October 30, when the runway and taxiway were temporarily closed to improve storm water drainage and overlay the surface with concrete. The
30-day runway closure marked the first extensive closure at the airport since it was opened in 1979. The rehabilitated runway will accommodate
increased operations by larger business aircraft. For more information, contact TKI's Kenneth Wiegand, A.A.E. Collin County Regional Airport director
at kwiegand@mckinneytexas.org or NBAA's Steve Hadley at shadley@nbaa.org.
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Two IS-BAO Workshops Scheduled for January in FL and VA
The International Business Aviation Council (IBAC), in cooperation with NBAA, will present two International Standards for Business Aircraft
Operations (IS-BAO) Workshops this January. The first workshop will take place in Boca Raton, FL on January 11, and the second is scheduled for
January 17 in Richmond, VA. The goal of the workshops is to assist operators who are implementing the IS-BAO, accredit potential IS-BAO auditors and
provide information to other interested parties. For registration or additional information, contact IBAC's Katherine Perfetti at kperfetti@ibac.org, or visit the IBAC web site at:
http://www.ibac.org/is-bao/Audit%20Workshop.htm
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NBAA's Bolen Recognized for Leadership in Fight Against User Fees
Business & Commercial Aviation Magazine (B&CA) has given a Vision Award to NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen for leadership in the fight
to stop the big airlines' campaign to shift billions of their costs onto general aviation, introduce new user fees and assume control of the air
traffic control system. "Ed Bolen was one of a few who saw the threat clearly when others could not," B&CA staff observed in the magazine's
December 2007 edition. "He sounded the alarm loudly and constantly...and then worked intelligently and effectively in concert with allies old and new
to counter a formidable foe." Bolen expressed sincere gratitude for the award, but added, "This recognition also belongs to the people of the
business aviation community who have ensured that the voice of our industry is heard in opposition to the airlines' plan."
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Deadline for Next CAM Exam Is Jan. 14
The next paper-based Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) Exam open to applicants will take place in San Antonio, TX on February 29, in conjunction with
the NBAA Leadership Conference, followed by a computer-based testing (CBT) window in March. With the recent addition of CBT, the exam now will be
offered at over 250 testing sites every other month beginning in January. Three paper-based exams still will be offered next year. The CAM Exam is
recognized in the aviation community as a benchmark for business aviation professionalism. Those certified as CAMs gain esteem and credibility within
the industry for their commitment to safety, security and effective management in business aviation. The deadline for both the paper-based exam and
the March CBT window is January 14. For more information, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/cam
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NBAA Update Advertising Opportunities Available for
2008
Advertising space is now available for NBAA Update, the Association's informative weekly e-mail newsletter. With more than 15,000 readers each
week, NBAA Update is an excellent vehicle for marketing campaigns aimed at business aircraft operators. Banner ads also will appear in the
NBAA Update archives on the Association's web site, providing thousands of additional views. To reserve ad space, or for more information,
contact Melissa Murphy at mmurphy@nbaa.org, or visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/about/ratecard/update.php
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Travel$ense 3.82 Update Released
NBAA has released version 3.82 of its business travel productivity-tracking software, Travel$ense. This update adapts to changes in the reservation
system used by Travel$ense that prevented the program from obtaining airline flight and fare data. All Travel$ense users should download and install
this update. Travel$ense is a tool to help management better analyze and understand business travel by automatically calculating the actual business
hours, productivity, trip expenses and family time saved by traveling via business aircraft versus airline alternatives. For more information,
visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/ops/adm/travelsense/update
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Geneva Again to Host EBACE2008 in May
The 8th Annual European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE2008) is scheduled for May 20 through 22 at Geneva PALEXPO and Geneva
International Airport. EBACE2008 is the preeminent forum for the European business aviation community to find products and services from the world's
top vendors. The event, featuring over 350 Exhibitors and nearly 12,000 Attendees, will include Information Sessions led by industry experts
discussing the most compelling issues facing business aviation in Europe and around the world. The priority lottery deadline for Exhibitors was
November 30 and booth placements are now taking place, but limited space still is available. For more information, visit:
http://www.ebace.aero
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SPDP Course: Weather and Aircraft Performance
January 28, 2008, Savannah, GA
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SPDP Course: Resource Management for Aviation Leaders
January 28–29, 2008, Savannah, GA
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19th Annual Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference
January 29–February 1, 2008, Savannah, GA
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SPDP Course: Aviation Security for the Business Aviation Flight Department
January 29, 2008, Savannah, GA
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SPDP Course: Building a Higher Performance Flight Department Team
January 29, 2008, Savannah, GA
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3rd Annual Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (ABACE2008)
February 14, 2008, Hong Kong
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Regulatory Hot Topics Seminar
February 22, 2008, Fort Lauderdale, FL
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PDP Course: Flight Department Finance and Budget Accounting
February 26, 2008, San Antonio, TX
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Leadership Conference
February 27–28, 2008, San Antonio, TX
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Certified Aviation Manager Exam
February 29, 2008, San Antonio, TX
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35th Annual International Operators Conference
March 10–13, 2008, San Antonio, TX
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Business Aviation Regional Forum
March 27, 2008, San Antonio, TX
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IS-BAO Implementation Workshop
March 28, 2008, San Antonio, TX
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PDP Course: Managing the Aviation Safety Program
April 14, 2008, Daytona Beach, FL
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Maintenance Management Conference
April 15–17, 2008, Daytona Beach, FL
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Maintenance Manual Workshop
April 18, 2008, Daytona Beach, FL
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Certified Aviation Manager Exam
April 18, 2008, Daytona Beach, FL
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Business Aviation Regional Forum
April 24, 2008, Las Vegas, NV
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PDP Course: Customer Service
April 25, 2008, Las Vegas, NV
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Emergency Response Planning Workshop
April 28–29, 2008, Palm Harbor, FL
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53rd Annual Corporate Aviation Safety Seminar
April 29–May 1, 2008, Palm Harbor, FL
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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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