| Business Aviation News & Issues |
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NBAA Responds to Most Recent Attack From the Big
Airlines
NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen on May 21 took the nation's big airlines to task for an e-mail recently sent out by the Air Transport Association
(ATA), the airlines' lobbying group, which continues ATA's campaign of distortions about the general aviation (GA) community. "The ATA's suggestion
that GA air traffic at a well-planned weekend event in a single location was somehow problematic is simply laughable," Bolen said. "The fact is,
delays are caused by the airlines over-scheduling flights 365 days a year at big city airports all across the country." He concluded, "It's
unfortunate that the nation's big airlines have chosen to focus efforts on attacking general aviation, rather than working toward solutions for
modernizing our air transportation system, so that it remains the world's largest, safest and most efficient." Review the press release at:
http://www.nbaa.org/news/pr/2008/20080521-032.php
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ERAM Implementation Date Postponed Until June 29
The En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM) implementation date has been postponed from June 5 until June 29 in order to prevent conflict with the
start of a new charting cycle as well as the West Atlantic Route System (WATRS) transition. ERAM is the largest National Airspace System equipment
replacement program in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) history. The FAA web site has been updated with a contingency plan for anyone who is
participating in the transition. This detailed plan goes over the steps to be taken in the month prior to the switch in addition to several plans
should issues come up during the transition. For further information, operators may contact NBAA's John Kosak at jkosak@nbaa.org or visit the FAA web site at:
http://www.faa.gov/ato?k=fpl
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FAA Controllers to Issue More Detailed Taxi Instructions to Improve Safety
Air traffic controllers are now giving more detailed directions to pilots and airport vehicle operators to reduce mistakes and improve runway safety.
On May 19, controllers started telling pilots and airport vehicle operators the specific route an aircraft or vehicle should follow across the
airfield, instead of simply giving them an intended destination point. The new mandatory detailed instructions require controllers to name the
specific taxiways the aircraft or vehicle should use at each step along its route. The more detailed instructions are designed to reduce runway
incursions caused by controller, pilot or vehicle driver mistakes. The FAA also is reviewing recommendations for changes in takeoff and landing
clearance procedures. For more information contact NBAA's Bob Lamond at rlamond@nbaa.org.
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Northern Route Requested by NBAA and Eastern Region
Helicopter Association
NBAA and the Eastern Region Helicopter Association recommend all traffic use the Northern Route (Peconic) approach and Powerline Route departure when
operating to and from East Hampton, NY (HTO). A secondary route, the Georgica Pond Route, should only be used when non-IFR capable operations are
required. Due to lower altitudes, the Georgica Pond Route has increased risk of traffic conflict with the published fixed-wing traffic pattern from
Runway 28. Helicopters from Westhampton (FOK) and Southampton Heliport (87N) are requested to use the published Hamptons Route to take them to the
Peconic checkpoint to start the Northern Route. For more information, contact NBAA's Dean Saucier at dsausier@nbaa.org. A map depicting these routes is available for download at:
http://www.nbaa.org/member/ops/airspace/regional/northeast/nyheli/
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FAA Has Implemented New Chicago-Area Southbound Departure
Routes
On April 10, the FAA implemented new Chicago-area South departures utilizing area navigation (RNAV) routes. These new routes affect Chicago
International Airport (ORD) and all satellite airports in the Chicago area. This redesign affects routes, airspace, sectorization and procedures. The
FAA has reported that since implementation, its staff has manually amended over 100 flight plans per day because the flight plans were filed
incorrectly. The FAA has provided a PowerPoint presentation designed to assist pilots in understanding the differences between the previous and
enhanced departure tracks. For more information, contact the FAA's Mike O'Brien at Michael.O'Brien@faa.gov or Bill Smar at bill.smar@faa.gov. To view
the PowerPoint presentation, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/member/ops/airspace/regional/midwest/
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Missouri Passes Favorable Business Aviation Tax Measures
The Missouri legislature passed a bill on Friday, May 16 that included a number of measures favorable to business aviation. First, a sales tax
exemption was passed that would eliminate sales tax on certain aircraft parts. Second, the aircraft weight limit for property tax relief on aircraft
used in interstate commerce was lowered from 7,000 pounds to 3,000 pounds. This will have a significant effect for many business aircraft, including
the growing very light jet fleet. Finally, the cap on the state aviation trust fund was raised from $6 million to $10 million annually. For further
information contact NBAA's Bob Quinn at bquinn@nbaa.org.
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FAA Seattle Center to Hold System Operations Orientation Day
The FAA Seattle Center will hold its first System Operations Orientation Day on June 12 at 9:00 a.m. The agenda will include an overview of the
Traffic Management Unit, Seattle Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) and its operations and an overview of the National Airspace System and the
Traffic Management Tool Box, among other items. The event is an opportunity to bring schedulers, dispatchers, pilots and the FAA together to share
information. Space is limited; attendees should RSVP as soon as possible to the FAA's Steve Atkinson at steve.atkinson@faa.gov. Direct questions to Atkinson or the FAA's John Howard at john.howard@faa.gov.
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South Florida Meeting Scheduled for June 18 at Opa Locka Executive Airport
The South Florida Business Aviation Association (SFBAA) will hold its second meeting of the year at Opa Locka Executive Airport (OPF) from 6:00 to
8:00 p.m. The event will feature guest speaker Greg Feith, a former National Transportation Safety Board accident investigator. Refreshments will be
served. The meeting will be held at Miami Executive Aviation at OPF, at 15001 NW 42nd Avenue, Miami, FL. Attendees should RSVP to Jeff Ramsden at sfbaainfo@gmail.com. For more information, contact NBAA's Harry Houckes at hhouckes@nbaa.org.
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Georgia Symposium on June 18 to Focus on Aircraft Recordkeeping
The Georgia Business Aviation Association (GBAA) will hold its second symposium of the year at the Flight Works facility in Kennesaw, GA, from 9:00
a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The symposium is an opportunity to learn about current best practices in aircraft recordkeeping. Lunch will be provided. Flight
Works is located at 500 TownPark Lane, Suite 350, Kennesaw, GA. Attendees should RSVP by June 4 with both their name and company to GBAAadmin@mindspring.com. For more information, contact NBAA's Harry Houckes at hhouckes@nbaa.org or visit:
http://www.gbaa.org
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Visit EBACE News Bureau to Review Articles, Podcasts, Photos and More
The EBACE Online News Bureau provides coverage of the 8th Annual European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE2008), which took place
last week from May 20 to 22 at Geneva PALEXPO, with a Static Display at Geneva International Airport. Visit the EBACE web site for articles and
photos of the only European exhibition to focus exclusively on business aviation. In addition, Information Session podcasts and presentations are
available on topics such as safety and security, business aviation and the environment, the single European sky and SESAR, airport access, synthetic
and enhanced vision devices, very light jets and more. Visit the Online News Bureau now at:
http://www.ebace.aero/news
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Awards for Safety, Contributions to the Industry Presented at EBACE2008
At EBACE2008, NBAA and the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) presented awards to several exceptional organizations and individuals.
During the 2nd Annual Safety Standdown Europe, EBAA presented the inaugural European Safety of Flight Awards, which honor European business aviation
operators for their record of safe flying, to PrivatAir, Shell Aircraft, Eurofly Service S.P.A., Aero-Dienst GmbH, Dassault Falcon Service and BMW
Flight Service. Also at EBACE2008, NBAA and EBAA presented the EBACE2008 European Business Aviation Award to Mark Booth, chairman and CEO of NetJets
Europe, for his outstanding contributions to European business aviation. For more information on these awards and the recipients, and for more news
from EBACE2008, visit:
http://www.ebace.aero/news
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Don't Miss Business Aviation Taxes Forum This Friday
NBAA's one-day Business Aviation Taxes Forum will take place this Friday, May 30 at the New York Marriott Downtown in New York City. The Taxes Forum
will provide valuable information to aviation professionals, flight department personnel, aircraft owners and operators, attorneys, tax advisors and
others interested in keeping up with the latest tax and legal developments affecting business aviation. Both Members and non-Members of NBAA are
invited to attend. Attendees will learn how to maximize business aircraft tax planning, understand the applications of federal excise taxes, make
aircraft available for charity flights and much more. Ample time will be allowed for questions and answers following each presentation, and at the
end of the seminar.
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Security and International Flights the Focus of Flight Attendants
Conference
The theme for the 13th Annual NBAA Flight Attendants Conference, taking place from June 27 to 28 in Tucson, AZ, is "Going Global, New Challenges for
Today's Flight Attendants." In a featured session, Doug Carr, NBAA vice president, safety, security & regulation, will discuss business aviation
security issues for international travel and rulemaking within the Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration and
International Civil Aviation Organization. His presentation will address access portal airports for international travel, passenger security and
dealing with the e-APIS filing and other immigration rulings. Additional session topics will include the impact of regulation on business aviation
flight attendants, managing fatigue to maintain safe operations and global health issues. To register online or review the agenda, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/events/fac/2008
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Management-Oriented Workshops to Precede Flight Attendants Conference
NBAA will offer two Workshops preceding this year's NBAA Flight Attendants Conference in Tucson, AZ. The first event, the NBAA Flight Operations
Manual Workshop, will be held from June 23 to 24 and will prepare individuals to draft a fully compliant flight manual. The second, the NBAA
Management Fundamentals for Flight Departments Workshop, will be held from June 25 to 26 and will educate flight department managers about
compliance, safety, finances and other important topics. Both Workshops will take place at the Hilton El Conquistador resort and meet NBAA
Professional Development Program (PDP) objectives. For more information, or to register, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/events
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Business Aviation Taxes Forum
May 30, 2008, New York, NY
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Flight Operations Manual Workshop
June 23–24, 2008, Tucson, AZ
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Management Fundamentals for Flight Departments Workshop
June 25–26, 2008, Tucson, AZ
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Business Aviation Regional Forum
June 26, 2008, Dayton, OH
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13th Annual Flight Attendants Conference
June 27–28, 2008, Tucson, AZ
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Business Aviation Regional Forum
September 10, 2008, Bedford, MA
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12th Annual Chairman's Charity Classic Golf Tournament
October 4, 2008, Orlando, FL
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PDP Course: Record Keeping and Regulatory Compliance
October 4, 2008, Orlando, FL
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17th Annual NBAA Tax, Regulatory & Risk Management Conference
October 4–5, 2008, Orlando, FL
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Emergency Response Planning Workshop
October 4–5, 2008, Orlando, FL
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Flight Operations Manual Workshop
October 4–5, 2008, Orlando, FL
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PDP Course: Goal Achievement and Conducting Valuable Performance Reviews
October 5, 2008, Orlando, FL
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Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) Exam
October 5, 2008, Orlando, FL
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61st Annual Meeting & Convention
October 6–8, 2008, Orlando, FL
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Maintenance Manual Workshop
October 9, 2008, Orlando, FL
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Management Fundamentals for Flight Departments Workshop
October 9–10, 2008, Orlando, FL
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Review the Full NBAA Events Calendar
http://www.nbaa.org/events/date
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Review Future NBAA Convention Dates
http://www.nbaa.org/events
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