NBAA Update Archive

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NBAA Update #02-11
Monday, March 18, 2002

DCA RETURNS TO PRE-9/11 AIRLINE SCHEDULE BUT GA STILL BANNED
On March 13, U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta announced that Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) would be permitted to resume its pre-September 11 airline schedule starting April 15. However, no official schedule for the resumption of Part 91 or Part 135 operations has been announced. General aviation operations – which accounted for nearly 60,000 movements at DCA last year – have been barred from DCA since the attacks. NBAA President Jack Olcott expressed the Association's great concern for a return of GA to DCA in letters to DOT Secretary Mineta and to the Washington Post, which published Mineta's statement. To attend the next NBAA DCA briefing on April 8, contact Marie Wilkins at (202) 783-9252 or mwilkins@nbaa.org.
www.nbaa.org/airports/DCA

NASA TO CONDUCT SECURITY SURVEY
From March to June 2002, NASA's Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) is conducting a structured callback telephone survey of airport and aircraft-related security events reported to the program. The survey is part of a NASA Ames Research Center effort to assist in national security improvements following the terrorist attacks of September 11. For more information, contact Rowena Morrison at rmorrison@mail.arc.nasa.gov.
www.nbaa.org/digest/2002/03/news.htm#asrs

SENATE INTRODUCES GA RELIEF BILL
On March 12, Oklahoma Senator James Inhofe introduced companion legislation to H.R. 3347 that would provide economic relief to general aviation entities that suffered substantial economic injury as a result of the September 11 terrorist attacks. The bill, S. 2007, would allow for $2.5 billion in direct aid for losses suffered as a result of direct government action and up to $3 billion in government secured loans. NBAA supports the Senate action and encourages Members to contact their elected officials and encourage their support for this measure. For additional information, contact Doug Carr at dcarr@nbaa.org.
www.nbaa.org/gov

CANPASS PRIVATE AND CORPORATE AIR PROGRAMS TO RESUME APRIL 2
On March 15, the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) announced that the CANPASS Private and Corporate Air Programs will resume at 176 airports in Canada beginning April 2. The CANPASS Air programs – which allow pre-screened, low-risk travelers to clear customs quickly – were suspended immediately after the terrorist attacks on September 11. The restored CANPASS Air Programs will be available only for flights from the U.S. to the 123 designated airports of entry, plus an additional 53 "designated-air" only airports. For more information visit the CCRA Web site at www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca.

MORE THAN 400 INTERNATIONAL OPERATORS MET IN NASHVILLE
At last week's NBAA International Operators Conference in Nashville, 412 Attendees covered issues of critical importance to business aviation departments with global aviation operations. Session topics ranged from the details of operating in specific regions of the world to emergency-communications issues. Most of the PowerPoint presentations used during Conference sessions will be available to NBAA Members via the NBAA Web site this week.
www.nbaa.org/member/seminars/ioc/2002/

PROPOSED MICHIGAN LEGISLATION WOULD PROVIDE AIRPORT FUNDING
Michigan Senators Joel Gougeon and Walt North have separately introduced two bills to the Michigan legislature that would provide a stable funding source for the state's airport infrastructure without resulting in new taxes. The legislature requires that $.01 of the current $.06 in sales and use tax collected on aircraft sales, aircraft parts, aviation fuel and airport concessions be deposited in the state Aeronautics Fund. It is estimated that this money would generate an additional $12 million to $14 million annually for Michigan airports, or $30 million per year with matching funds. The Michigan Business Aviation Association (MBAA) has been successful in protecting general fund dollars for airports; however, as revenues decline, the group plans to contact its members to lobby for airport funding. For more information, contact MBAA's Cindy Schnetzler at schnetzlder.c@gesionline.com or NBAA's John O. Balsiger at jbalsiger@nbaa.org.

NBAA MEMBERS INVITED TO LAS USER MEETING ON MARCH 19
The FAA is hosting a user meeting on Tuesday, March 19 to discuss the strategy for improving Las Vegas Four Cornerpost RNAV departure and arrival procedures at McCarran International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas. The FAA invites NBAA Members to attend and contribute their ideas. The meeting will be held at the LAS Commissioners Conference Room on the 5th Floor of the main terminal, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Items for discussion are future short-term and long-term system changes. Direct questions or concerns to FAA's David Tyson, SM, L30 at David.L.Tyson@faa.gov or NBAA's Dan Burkhart at dburkhart@nbaa.org.

MAG TO ADDRESS CHANGES TO ARIZONA AVIATION SYSTEM PLAN
The Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) is developing alternatives to meet future aviation demand in the Phoenix, AZ area. MAG invites NBAA Members to attend a meeting and provide feedback about this topic on Wednesday, April 3 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at MAG, 302 North 1st Avenue, 2nd Floor, Saguaro Room, Phoenix, AZ. Business aviation is an important stakeholder in the Phoenix aviation infrastructure, so NBAA encourages Members to provide planners with practical input regarding our community's needs. For more information, contact NBAA's Dan Burkhart at dburkhart@nbaa.org.

AVOID CONGESTION AND FLIGHT DELAYS AT TRI NEAR BRISTOL, TN
This week, both the Busch and Winston Cup auto-racing series will be traveling to Bristol, TN, with the Busch series race on Saturday, March 23, and the Winston Cup race on Sunday, March 24. Aircraft will start arriving at Tri-Cities Regional Airport (TRI) in Blountville, TN starting the afternoon of Friday, March 21, with most aircraft departing on the 24th. At least 250 additional aircraft are expected to be on the ramp at TRI. Please schedule flight plans accordingly to avoid congestion and late arrivals or departures into the Bristol, TN area. For more information, contact NBAA's Dean Saucier at dsaucier@nbaa.org.

GWAO EVENT TO RAISE FUNDS FOR CORPORATE ANGEL NETWORK
On May 6, business aviation professionals from across the United States will participate in the Greater Washington Aviation Open (GWAO), a golf and tennis tournament fundraiser in support of Corporate Angel Network, an organization that uses empty seats on corporate aircraft to bring cancer patients to or from treatment centers at no charge. Last year the event raised $83,000. For more information or to get involved, contact Paul Bollinger at pbollinger@hntb.com or NBAA's Pete West at pwest@nbaa.org.
www.gwao.org

GEORGIA SCHEDULERS AND DISPATCHERS TO MEET MARCH 21, ATLANTA
The Georgia Schedulers and Dispatchers Association will hold a dinner meeting in the Bell South Hangar at Atlanta's Fulton County Airport on Thursday, March 21 at 6:30 p.m. Harry Houckes, NBAA's southeast regional representative, will address the group on the topic of Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM). To attend, contact Kris Einstein Braverman at (770) 513-0180 or kbraverman@gajet.com.

SOUTH DAKOTA AIRPORTS CONFERENCE NEWS
The South Dakota Aeronautics Commission and the SD DOT Office of Aeronautics held their 2002 State Airports Conference on March 6 and 7 in Aberdeen, SD. During the meeting, the Aeronautics Commission discussed SB 32, which requires any airport employee, airline employee and FBO or charter service employee, unless otherwise required by Federal law or regulation, to have in possession while on duty at the airport a state-issued photo identification badge. The Commission recommended that SB 32 be held in abeyance, since Federal airman certificates and state-issued driver licenses serve the same purpose. NBAA's Paul Smith was available at the Conference to meet with business aviation community members as well as host an NBAA Business Aviation Seminar for Information, Concepts and Solutions (BASICS). For more information, contact Smith at psmith@nbaa.org.

PRESIDENT'S PERSPECTIVE ON LEADERSHIP
Of all the skills needed for effective flight department management, the most powerful is leadership. Read NBAA President Jack Olcott's thoughts on this important topic at www.nbaa.org/digest/2002/03/pres.htm, and don't forget to register for the NBAA Leadership Conference this April 23 to 25 in Nashville, TN.
www.nbaa.org/seminars/leadership

INTERNATIONAL OPERATORS SCHOLARSHIP WINNER ANNOUNCED
Amanda O'Brien, an honor-roll student at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, is the first recipient of the NBAA International Operators Scholarship, funded by corporate sponsor ExxonMobil Aviation and the Avitats.
www.nbaa.org/pr/2002/20020315-006.htm

NBAA TAX FORUM ON MARCH 22 IN DALLAS
http://www.nbaa.org/seminars/tf/tf_2002_03_22.htm

FLIGHT ATTENDANT SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS DUE APRIL 1
http://www.nbaa.org/scholarships