NBAA Update Archive

NBAA Update #08-16
Monday, April 21, 2008

NBAA Update is the National Business Aviation Association's weekly e-mail newsletter, providing the latest operational, regulatory and political news for the business aviation community. Subscribe for free or review the archives at www.nbaa.org/update. Send your comments about NBAA Update to update@nbaa.org. Send address changes to membership@nbaa.org.

Business Aviation News & Issues

Senate Could Move Forward Soon on FAA Reauthorization
Last week, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) added Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization legislation to a priority list of bills to be considered by the Senate in the next several weeks. NBAA Members are unified with the rest of the general aviation community in opposing new user fees in any FAA reauthorization bill approved by Congress. NBAA Members can reiterate with Congress opposition to user fees and support for funding the FAA and modernizing the nation's aviation system through adjustments to the proven, efficient fuel tax. To make your voice heard on this issue, visit NBAA's Contact Congress resource at:
http://www.nbaa.org/action

WATRS Plus Route Structure Redesign and Separation Reduction Project Update
On June 5, the FAA will introduce a redesigned route structure and reduced lateral separation standard on oceanic routes or areas in the Western Atlantic Route System (WATRS) Plus Control Areas to enhance operator access to time/fuel-efficient routes and altitudes and enroute capacity. One part of the initiative will implement required navigation performance (RNP) 10 and 50 NM lateral separation of traffic. Initially, the RNP 10 requirement will be voluntary, but operators without RNP 10 authorization may experience diversions of route or time. The FAA also has released documents outlining the WATRS Plus operational policy and procedures along with route-and-fix data. For more information, contact NBAA's Operations Service Group at info@nbaa.org, or visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/cns

FAA Issues ETOPS Guidance for Part 135 Operators
The FAA has released an information for operators (InFO) message to provide guidance to Part 135 operators who are attempting to determine the applicability of extended operations (ETOPS) guidance. On January 16, 2007, the FAA published a final rule that broadened ETOPS to include all multi-engine turbine aircraft operated under Part 135. The ETOPS rule is applicable when these aircraft, at approved one-engine inoperative cruise speed, are more than 180 minutes flying time from an airport meeting the requirements for Part 135. There is a mandatory compliance date of August 13 for those Part 135 operators who determine that ETOPS regulations are applicable to their operations. For additional information, download the InFO notice at:
http://www.nbaa.org/ops/part135

New Resource Explains FET Regulatory Change
Effective January 1, 2008, the Treasury regulations were amended to provide that disregarded entities (such as single-member limited-liability companies and qualified Subchapter S subsidiaries) would no longer be disregarded for excise tax purposes. This amendment raises the possibility that air transportation provided by or to a disregarded entity could be subject to the Federal Transportation Excise Tax (FET). Previously, air transportation provided by a disregarded entity to its owner or other disregarded entities owned by the same person was not subject to FET, because it was treated as an operation conducted directly by its owner for tax purposes. This change in the law can result in significant unexpected FET liabilities. Companies with aircraft owned in a disregarded entity should view this new tax resource, at:
http://web.nbaa.org/admin/taxes/federal/

Members Asked to Participate in 2008 Compensation & Benchmark Survey
The 2008 NBAA Compensation & Benchmark Survey is open for participation. This survey was developed to help NBAA Member Representatives and company salary administrators evaluate their flight departments by providing a comprehensive review of aviation department personnel salaries and operational data. Member Companies can learn about company backgrounds and composite results of individual position salary data; flight department information, such as size, policies and manuals utilized, budget and tax information and maintenance details, including hours and days out of service and types of inspections performed. All NBAA Member Representatives for companies that operate aircraft are eligible to participate. For more information, contact NBAA's Operations Service Group at info@nbaa.org, or to begin the survey, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/admin/cbs/

NBAA Will Host Las Vegas Regional Forum This Thursday, Apr. 24
The next NBAA Business Aviation Regional Forum will be held this week on April 24 at Henderson Executive Airport (HND) in Las Vegas, NV. The Regional Forum is a day-long learning and networking experience for the regional business aviation community and for local business leaders interested in learning more about business aviation. Sessions at the event will include topics such as international aircraft transactions, risks and resources for the very light jet operator and state tax issues. NBAA staff and industry experts also will discuss the challenges and opportunities facing business aviation today. FAA Air Traffic Control personnel also will be available to answer questions on air traffic management procedures and policies in the Western region. To learn more, or to register, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/events/forums/20080424

Return to Top

Regional News

City of Santa Monica Pursues Aircraft Ban at SMO
The City of Santa Monica has recently sent letters to operators detailing the City's new ordinance banning Category C and D aircraft, beginning on Thursday, April 24. Actual implementation of the ordinance is expected to receive a legal challenge from the FAA. "NBAA and its legal counsel continue to closely monitor the progress of legal developments between the City of Santa Monica and the FAA," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. "NBAA is also considering its own legal options." NBAA Members can check the Association's web site throughout the week for additional information. To read an online article about the situation at SMO, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/ops/airports/smo

Florida Sales & Use Tax Grassroots Legislative Effort Underway
NBAA supports the grassroots effort of the Florida Aviation Trades Association (FATA) to seek a legislative solution to the current state statutes relating to aircraft sales and use taxes. There are currently two bills under consideration, one of which is in the state's House (HB1379), and the other is in the state's Senate (SB2856). Both support amending the sales and use tax statute so that non- Florida residents who wish to operate in Florida within the first six months of owning their aircraft no longer will be penalized. Florida's operators and residents are encouraged to contact their state legislators regarding the legislation. For more information, contact NBAA's Harry Houckes at hhouckes@nbaa.org, or visit the FATA web site, at:
http://www.fata.aero

NBAA's Nichols to Address Houston Aviation Alliance
NBAA's Mike Nichols, vice president, operations, education & economics, will address the Houston Aviation Alliance during its monthly luncheon on May 5. The event will take place at the Houston Hobby Hilton at 11:30 a.m. Nichols directs NBAA's programs, policy positions and educational efforts related to tax, regulatory, finance and risk management. His keynote address will cover timely topics such as Part 135 operational control, tax changes and other regulatory issues. For further information, contact NBAA's Steve Hadley at shadley@nbaa.org.

ORBAA Meeting Will Feature Business Aviation Training Issues
The Ohio Regional Business Aviation Association (ORBAA) will hold a meeting addressing business aviation training issues this Wednesday, April 23. The meeting will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. near Port Columbus Airport (CMH) at the Creekside Conference and Event Center at 700 Creekside Plaza in Gahanna, OH. The event, sponsored in part by NetJets and FlightSafety International, will feature speakers addressing a range of training issues, such as the impact of training on insurance, web-based training and human factors. RSVP to AircraftLogs' Jenn Wainscott at jennifer.wainscott@aircraftlogs.com. For more information, contact NBAA's Bob Quinn at bquinn@nbaa.org.

Houston Group Will Tour FlightSafety Facility, May 1
The Women in Aviation Space City Chapter (WAISCC) will tour the Houston FlightSafety International training facility during a meeting on May 1. Attendees also will have the opportunity to fly one of the simulators on- site. The meeting will be held at the FlightSafety International Training Center at 7525 Fauna Street on Houston's William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) at 7:00 p.m. Those interested in touring the facilities will be able to do so. Only 15 people will have an opportunity to fly the simulators, so RSVPs are necessary. A $5 fee will be waived for WAISCC members. For more information, or to RSVP, contact WAISCC's Yasmina Soria at yassoria@hotmail.com or NBAA'S Steve Hadley at shadley@nbaa.org.

GBAA Annual Meeting and Fundraiser to Benefit Scholarship Program
The Georgia Business Aviation Association (GBAA) will hold its Annual Meeting & Fundraiser on Friday, May 2 at the Marriott Stone Mountain Evergreen Resort. As in the past, a portion of the proceeds from this event will go to the GBAA scholarship program. The association currently is offering various scholarships to students and aviation professionals. College and technical school scholarships are available to graduates of Georgia high schools pursuing a career as an aviation management professional, aviation maintenance technician or professional pilot. For more information, contact NBAA's Harry Houckes at hhouckes@nbaa.org, or visit:
http://www.gbaa.org

Northeast Aviation Safety Symposium Is Coming to BDL, May 6
Several New England-area aviation groups, including the Connecticut Business Aviation Group, Massachusetts Airport Managers' Association, Massachusetts Business Aviation Association and Rhode Island Airport Corporation will host an Aviation Safety Symposium on May 6. The symposium will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Army Aviation Support Facility at Bradley International Airport (BDL) in Windsor Locks, CT. Presenters from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, FAA and companies including Honeywell and FlightSafety International will lead sessions on topics such as cabin safety, aviation safety law, airport operations, in-flight firefighting, fatigue management and medical emergencies. The event is free and counts toward qualification for the NBAA Certified Aviation Manager Exam. To RSVP, contact NBAA's Dean Saucier at dsaucier@nbaa.org.

Return to Top

NBAA News

PDP Course Following This Week's Regional Forum
Following this week's NBAA Business Aviation Regional Forum in Las Vegas, NV, NBAA will offer the Professional Development Program (PDP) Course "Customer Service – Common Sense or a Business and Management Tool?" on Friday, April 25 at Henderson Executive Airport (HND). The Course, which will be presented by ServiceElements International, focuses on using customer service to improve internal team relationships and morale, as well as increasing an organization's value to its customers.

Help Build NBAA Show for Light Business Airplane Operators
NBAA's inaugural Light Airplane Conference & Exhibition (LAC&E), developed specifically for operators of light aircraft utilized for business purposes, will be held on March 12–14, 2009, in San Diego, CA. "Perhaps the best part about this show is that light airplane operators are going to help guide our planning for it, said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. "NBAA wants to hear from the light aircraft operators in our industry about how to make the event as valuable an experience as possible." For more information, and to download a proposal form, visit the LAC&E web site, at:
http://www.nbaa.org/lba

Maintenance Technical Reward and Career Scholarship Recipients Announced
On April 15, NBAA and its Maintenance Committee congratulated 20 recipients of the 2008 Maintenance Technical Reward and Career Scholarship (TRACS) at NBAA's Maintenance Management Conference in Daytona Beach, FL. Currently in its third year, Maintenance TRACS is sponsored by the business aviation industry. Included among the program's supporters are aircraft, engine and avionics manufacturers, maintenance training providers and other industry sponsors. The Maintenance TRACS is open to current and future Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) certificate holders and other individuals interested in developing their technical and professional career paths in business aviation maintenance. Award recipients are able to attend model-specific courses at aircraft, engine and avionics training centers. To learn more and view a full list of the recipients, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/news/pr/2008/20080415-023.php

Emergency Response Planning PDP Workshop to Be Held Along With CASS
NBAA will hold an Emergency Response Planning Workshop for all personnel concerned about the safe operation of business aircraft. The two-day Workshop is being held in conjunction with the 53rd Annual Corporate Aviation Safety Seminar (CASS) taking place from April 28 to 29 in Palm Harbor, FL, and will provide Attendees with the skills and expertise to respond effectively in the event of an emergency. The Workshop will highlight numerous disaster scenarios and address many of the issues involved in an aviation-related disaster. Senior FAA and National Transportation Safety Board officials are among the scheduled presenters at the event. Attendees also will be eligible to receive NBAA PDP credit.

NBAA Continues Commitment to Philanthropic Organizations
The NBAA Charities Benefit Gala will again be held this year to benefit NBAA Charities, a charitable fund established to provide support to entities using business aircraft for humanitarian efforts. This year's entertainment will feature The Blues Brothers, with Dan Aykroyd and Jim Belushi at the helm. In addition, the Association will hold its 4th Annual NBAA Charities Auctions, lending support to philanthropic organizations, including Angel Flight America, Corporate Angel Network, Veterans AirLift Command and ORBIS. For more information, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/charities

Registration Now Open for Annual NBAA Flight Attendants Conference
Those planning to attend the 13th Annual NBAA Flight Attendants Conference can now register and view the Conference agenda on the Association's web site. The theme for this year's event, which will take place from June 27 to 28 in Tucson, AZ, is "Going Global, New Challenges for Today's Flight Attendants." Topics such as cultural diversity, safety awareness and tips for improving service for global passengers will be highlighted. To register or review the agenda, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/events/fac/2008

Four New NBAA Scholarship Applications Now Available
NBAA today released applications for four scholarships: the Lawrence Ginocchio Aviation Scholarship, which benefits students at NBAA/University Aviation Association (UAA) member institutions; NORDAM Dee Howard/Etienne Fage Scholarship, for students at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; USAIG PDP Scholarship, for students at NBAA/UAA institutions offering NBAA's Professional Development Program; and the William M. Fanning Maintenance Scholarship, for students in A&P programs at approved FAR Part 147 schools. All of these scholarship applications are due August 1. For more information about these and other scholarships, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/scholarships

Return to Top