| BUSINESS AVIATION NEWS & ISSUES |
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Volcanic Eruption Continues to Disrupt Aviation in Europe
NBAA has received numerous inquiries about airport and airspace conditions in Europe following recent eruptions of Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull volcano. Because of disparity among
sources about expected volcanic activity, NBAA continues to urge Members to check all NOTAMs, especially international NOTAMs, before planning any flights. The Association is also
referring Members to the Eurocontrol web site, which provides continually updated information about conditions in Europe. The web site can be accessed by visiting:
https://www.cfmu.eurocontrol.int/PUBPORTAL/gateway/spec/index.html
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WAAS Navigation Satellite Failure May Impact Operators
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been notified that one of two geostationary (GEO) satellites, the Intelsat (CRW) GEO, has failed and will become unusable within a
week to 10 days. This satellite is part of the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), which improves GPS accuracy, integrity and availability. As a result of the failure, service
will be degraded at 16 airports in Alaska, and aviation system users could experience short-term outages while relying on the single remaining satellite. Steps are underway to
mitigate the effects of this failure, but replacement of this satellite will likely take three to four years. For more information, view the PDF at:
http://www.nbaa.org/ops/cns/pbn/waas-geo-outage-04-16-2010.pdf
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FAA Issues SAFO on Go-Around Callouts
As a result of a 2007 air carrier accident, the FAA has issued a safety alert for operators (SAFO) emphasizing the need for written policies regarding go-around callouts and
responses. The SAFO recommends that all operators provide written guidance to flightcrews stating that either pilot may make a go-around callout and that the response to the
callout should be an immediate missed approach. The National Transportation Safety Board has found that unwillingness of pilots to execute a go-around and missed approach, when
necessary, was at least partially to blame in certain approach and landing accidents. Access the SAFO PDF at:
http://www.nbaa.org/ops/safety/safo-10005
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New Business Turbine Aircraft Accident Review Available
Robert E. Breiling Associates has released the 2009 Business Turbine Aircraft Accident Review, which provides a comprehensive guide to business aviation safety. The review, which
has been produced annually for a number of years, contains narrative accounts and an in-depth analysis for 438 fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft accidents and major incidents
reported worldwide in 2009. Five versions of the review are available: the complete review covering jets, turboprops and turbine helicopters; jets and turboprops sections
combined; jet section and turboprop section individually; and twin and single turbine helicopters only. To order or for more information, visit:
http://www.breilinginc.com
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Ad Reminds Chamber Forum Participants: No Plane, No Gain
Washington aviation leaders in attendance at a major policy forum to be hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce next month will see the No Plane No Gain message in an advertisement
to be included in the program given to all event participants. Echoing themes from previous No Plane No Gain advertising, the half-page ad asks: "What creates jobs, helps
companies succeed and serves small towns all across the country? It's business aviation. And it's at work for America." A copy of the ad is available on the No Plane No Gain web
site in PDF format at:
http://noplanenogain.org/images/Chamber%20040910.pdf
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EBACE2010 Will Highlight A Decade of Accomplishment
Since the first European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) in 2001, the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) and other associations in Europe have
uniformly enlarged their representative bases, making them increasingly effective in representing the industry. The associations' members in turn have become better able to
communicate the value, diversity and priorities of the region's business aviation community. The 10th Annual EBACE, to be held from May 4 to 6 in Geneva, will recognize this and
other industry accomplishments over the past decade. For more information and to register, visit:
http://www.ebace.aero
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Volcanic Eruption Not Impacting Planning for EBACE2010
The recent volcanic eruptions in Iceland have not disrupted planning for EBACE2010, scheduled to take place from May 4 to 6 in Geneva. NBAA and EBAA continue to monitor
developments and stay in communication both with government officials involved in international aviation system coordination and with representatives of the host site, Geneva
Palexpo. At this time, EBACE is not expected to be impacted by the situation. NBAA and EBAA will continue to keep Members informed of any developments that may affect planning for
EBACE2010. For the latest information, visit the EBACE web site:
http://www.ebace.aero
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NBAA Members and Others Defeat Onerous WA Tax Proposal
NBAA last week applauded the Washington State legislature's decision to set aside an onerous tax proposal for aircraft in the state's annual spending package. The tax proposal
would have raised aircraft registration fees by as much as 1,400 percent. To oppose the tax hike, NBAA and its Members banded with others in a unified grassroots coalition, known
as the Washington Aviation Coalition (WAC). "We applaud the many NBAA Members who took the critical step of contacting their elected representatives – that unified
mobilization was critical to a positive outcome," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. For more information, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/admin/taxes/state/wa/2010-washington-state-tax-debate.php
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Featured Podcast: Mobilization Made the Difference in WA Tax Battle
Last week's welcome news that the burdensome aircraft tax proposal in Washington state had been defeated followed a weeks-long advocacy campaign in which NBAA and its Members
worked as part of a unified grassroots coalition that included the Pacific Northwest Business Aviation Association and members of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association,
Washington Pilots Association and others. In this week's NBAA Flight Plan podcast, NBAA Northwest Regional Representative Kristi Ivey discusses lessons from the Washington
advocacy effort that NBAA Members can apply to legislative initiatives in their own states. Subscribe to the podcast through iTunes and receive new episodes automatically, or
download it from NBAA's web site at:
http://www.nbaa.org/flight-plan
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MA Legislature Approves Budget Without Harmful Taxes
A collaborative effort among aviation groups and state legislators provided tangible results last week, when the Massachusetts House Ways and Means Committee removed language that
would have eliminated a sales-tax exemption on aircraft in the state. MA Senate President Therese Murray indicated she would not include the governor's tax provisions in the
Senate budget bill, leaving the final decision in the hands of a conference committee. The Massachusetts Business Aviation Association and Massachusetts Aviation Management
Association have been actively advocating for the industry on the issue, while representatives with NBAA and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association have provided data, support
and guidance. The groups will meet with legislators in May to advocate for a permanent tax exemption. For more information, contact NBAA's Dean Saucier at dsaucier@nbaa.org.
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New Route for Departures From IAD to Southeast Florida
Due to NBAA's ongoing efforts, a new route has been approved by the FAA for departures out of Dulles International Airport (IAD) to southeast Florida destinations. Until now,
general aviation flights were not able to use the current preferred route because it placed them inside the Washington, DC Flight Restricted Zone (FRZ); instead, they were routed
inland, a problematic approach on convective weather days when thunderstorms impact the route. The new route allows traffic to circumvent the FRZ and get more quickly to the
offshore Atlantic routes and then on to southeast Florida. For more information about this new route, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/airspace/iad
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FAA to Host Seattle Meeting and Customer Forum, May 4–5
The FAA will host a two-day Runway Safety Action Team Visit and Customer Forum Meeting for Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA) on May 4 and 5. The meeting will be held in
the Summit Conference Room of the main terminal building at 17801 International Blvd. (Pacific Highway S.), Seattle, WA. For more information, contact FAA's Christine Chesak at christine.chesak@faa.gov or visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/ops/airspace/regional/western
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This Week's Featured Regional Group Events to Be Held in South Florida and
Ohio
The South Florida Business Aviation Association will host a breakfast for pilots tomorrow, April 20, and the Ohio Regional Business Aviation Association will hold a safety-focused
meeting this Wednesday, April 21. Other upcoming regional events will be hosted by regional business aviation groups in San Diego, North Texas, Colorado, Georgia and more. For the
latest list of upcoming regional events and full details, visit the NBAA web site at:
http://www.nbaa.org/advocacy/regional/regional-events.php
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NBAA Delivers No Plane No Gain Message at Sun 'n Fun
When Rep. Sam Graves (R-6-MO) hosted a town hall meeting last week as part of Sun 'n Fun in Lakeland, FL, NBAA was on hand to promote the value of business aviation to citizens,
companies and communities. NBAA Senior Vice President, Government Affairs Lisa Piccione discussed the industry's role in supporting jobs, service to small towns and productivity
for companies of all sizes. Also participating in the forum were Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association President Craig Fuller and General Aviation Manufacturers Association
President and CEO Pete Bunce. Graves, a pilot and business aviation supporter, provided an interview to NBAA in a previous edition of Business Aviation Insider, located
online at:
http://www.nbaa.org/insider/sam-graves
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Arnold Palmer Ads to Be Part of EBACE2010
Business aviation helps companies succeed not just in the U.S., but across the world, which is why an advertisement developed for the No Plane No Gain program will be prominently
featured when thousands of people gather next month for Europe's largest business aviation event. The ad, featuring golf legend and esteemed businessman Arnold Palmer, will be
visible on the exhibit floor and in materials given to all event participants. "We all know that using business aircraft enables us to do our best," Palmer says in the ad. "Let's
not settle for anything less than our best." NBAA and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association have routinely promoted No Plane No Gain ads at industry events to remind
those in business aviation about the campaign's message, and help people spread the word about the industry's value. View the ad at:
http://www.noplanenogain.org/Print_Advertisements.htm?m=47&s=416
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Few Seats Remaining for Live Webinar on Federal Excise Tax, Apr.
29
On Thursday, April 29 at 2:00 p.m., NBAA will host a live webinar on federal excise taxes applicability, remitting taxes, obtaining refunds and credits. Nel Stubbs, owner of the
aviation consulting firm Conklin & de Decker, Patrick McGinty, a tax manager at EPIC Aviation, and Glenn Hediger, founder of Aviation Financial Consulting, LLC, will provide
insight on understanding which taxes apply to which flights, calculating taxes due, obtaining credits and refunds and properly completing forms and remit taxes. To RSVP or for
more information, visit:
http://nbaa.impactlearning.org/store/seminar/seminar.php?seminar=4402
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Scholarship Travel Fund Gets Boost at Maintenance Management Conference
NBAA's annual Maintenance Technical Reward and Career Scholarships (Maintenance TRACS) provide aircraft, engine and avionics training awards for business aviation maintenance
technicians. The Maintenance TRACS Travel Fund, created to help cover travel expenses associated with the training awards, received a boost at the NBAA 25th Annual Maintenance
Management Conference held earlier this month in San Diego. A total of $11,400 was raised for the fund through both raffle ticket sales for a one-of-a-kind Snap-on tool box and
auction items donated by companies from across the business aviation community. For more information on Maintenance TRACS, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/prodev/scholarships/mxtracs
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NBAA Reaches Out Through Type Club Events
NBAA supports all companies and entrepreneurs that rely on a general aviation aircraft for business, and part of the Association's work in that regard is to participate in events
held by aircraft type clubs. For example, NBAA recently participated in a Pilots Review of Proficiency (or "PROP") event held by Turbine Aircraft Services. The group provides
networking and information and safety events for Mitsubishi MU-2 operators and others. Part of the value in adding an NBAA Membership to a type club membership is the access NBAA
offers to tax-compliance resources, safety best practices and events focused specifically on light business airplane operators. NBAA Membership discounts may be available for type
club members; for more information, contact NBAA's Aimee Kaufman at akaufman@nbaa.org.
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European Safety Standdown
May 2–3, 2010, Geneva, Switzerland
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EBACE International Aircraft Transactions Conference
May 3, 2010, Geneva, Switzerland
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10th Annual European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE2010)
May 4–6, 2010, Geneva, Switzerland
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55th Annual Corporate Aviation Safety Seminar
May 11–13, 2010, Tucson, AZ
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Business Aviation Taxes Seminar
June 4, 2010, Chicago, IL
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Business Aviation Regional Forum
June 10, 2010, Teterboro, NJ
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PDP Course: Flight Operations Manual Workshop
June 21–22, 2010, San Diego, CA
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PDP Course: Management Fundamentals for Flight Departments Workshop
June 23–24, 2010, San Diego, CA
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15th Annual Flight Attendants Conference
June 24–26, 2010, San Diego, CA
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63rd Annual Meeting & Convention (NBAA2010)
October 19–21, 2010, Atlanta, GA
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Review the Full NBAA Events Calendar
http://www.nbaa.org/events
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