NBAA Update Archive

NBAA Update #03-19
Monday, May 12, 2003

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. Send your comments about NBAA Update to update@nbaa.org.

NEARLY 6,000 ATTENDED A RECORD-BREAKING EBACE2003
EBACE2003, held last week from May 7 through 9 in Geneva, Switzerland, registered 5,984 Attendees - an increase of more than 24 percent over last year's total of 4,824 - and featured 248 Exhibitors occupying 615 3-meter by 3-meter booth spaces in Geneva Palexpo, an increase of 13.2 percent. EBACE2003 also featured 25 Static Display Exhibitors - versus 18 in 2002, a 39 percent increase - and 34 aircraft at the Static Display on Geneva International Airport, including the following six aircraft present at EBACE for the first time: AC Aviation Charter/Jet Alliance's Corporate MD-83, Bombardier's Challenger 300 and Global Express, Garrett Aviation's C-I/SP retrofit, Gulfstream's G550 and Raytheon Hawker's 400XP. FAA Administrator Marion C. Blakey's presence at the event was very well received; during her Opening General Session keynote speech, she called for international cooperation and flexibility in joint global regulatory efforts. To review EBACE2003 image galleries and presentations online, visit:
www.ebace.com

ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE CONSIDERS O'HARE EXPANSION; FAILS TO ADDRESS MEIGS
Last week the Illinois State House proposed an amendment to Senate Bill S.B. 802 that, among other provisions, removes the Illinois Governor's authority to block airport expansion plans. In testimony scheduled to be given this evening before the Illinois Senate General Assembly, NBAA will oppose the legislation because it does not include provisions to repair and reopen Merrill C. Meigs Field (CGX) as detailed in the original agreement between Chicago Mayor Daley and former Illinois Governor George Ryan. NBAA Members are encouraged to review S.B. 802 and voice opposition to the Illinois General Assembly and key leaders in the Illinois Senate via the NBAA web site at www.nbaa.org/congress. To review the testimony, visit www.nbaa.org/govt/testimony/20030512.php. For more information, visit:
www.nbaa.org/pr/2003/20030512-025.htm

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TRAINING RULE PROPOSED FOR PART 135 OPERATORS
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on Thursday, May 8 amending its hazardous materials (hazmat) training requirements for certain air carriers and commercial operations. The proposed regulations would require certificate holders under Part 135 to have a hazmat training program regardless of whether or not they elect to transport hazmat. Comments on the NPRM may be submitted on or before July 7. Download the rule as it was published in the Federal Register, in PDF format, at:
www.nbaa.org/ops/rules/FAA-2003-15085_03-08.pdf

FIRST ADVANCE TERMINAL WEATHER SYSTEM COMMISSIONED
The first-production Integrated Terminal Weather System (ITWS) has entered service at Kansas City International Airport (MCI). ITWS provides air traffic controllers with a real-time picture of terminal airspace weather as well as precise predictions of expected weather conditions for 20 minutes in the future. Automated weather products produced by ITWS include wind shear and microburst detection and predictions, storm-cell intensity and direction, lightning information and detailed wind data. The FAA plans to install 34 ITWS systems to cover 45 major airports that experience severe weather. Additional ITWS production systems have been installed at Atlanta, Miami and Houston and are in pre-commissioning testing. For general airspace/air traffic news, visit:
www.nbaa.org/airspace

WHERE IS GUIDANCE ON TRANSITIONING TO HIGH-PERFORMANCE AIRCRAFT?
Guidance on transitioning to aircraft capable of operating at high altitudes and high airspeeds can be found in the recently revised Advisory Circular (AC) 61-107A, "Operations of Aircraft at Altitudes Above 25,000 feet MSL and/or Mach Numbers (Mmo) Greater than .75." This AC provides training outlines for this type of flying and familiarizes pilots with the special physiological and aerodynamic considerations of high-speed and high-altitude flight. Originally published more than 10 years ago, the AC has updated material concerning time of useful consciousness information and hypoxia awareness training. Operators interested in participating in altitude chamber training can find out how to schedule a training slot at one of the 15 different training locations. The Advisory Circular can be found on the FAA's web site. For more information, contact the NBAA Operations Service Group at info@nbaa.org.

WEATHER USER INPUT MEETING SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 11
The FAA will hold an informal public meeting to seek aviation weather user input on June 11 in Conference Room 8A at the FAA Headquarters, 800 Independence Ave. SW, from 9:00 a.m to 12:00 noon. Interested aviation weather users will have an opportunity to provide input on FAA's plans for implementing new weather products. For more information contact FAA's Debi Bacon at debi.bacon@faa.gov. Download the full notice from the Federal Register in PDF format at:
www.nbaa.org/airspace/fr_notice2003v0_1.pdf

MINNEAPOLIS AIRPORTS COMMISSION HEARING TO ADDRESS RELIEVER AIRPORTS
This Wednesday, May 15, the Minneapolis Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) will hold a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. in the Lindberg Terminal to address funding for the MAC's reliever airport system. Airlines serving Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) have opposed the MAC's long-standing policy of using a portion of the revenue generated at MSP to fund the operation of the six general aviation airports surrounding MSP. NBAA recently sent a letter to the MAC detailing the benefits of reliever airports and will participate during the public hearing. For additional information, visit the MAC web site at www.mspairport.com/mac or contact NBAA's Pete West at pwest@nbaa.org.

SPECIAL PROCEDURES TO BE IN EFFECT AT FAYETTEVILLE, NC BEGINNING ON FRIDAY
In anticipation of a large number of aircraft flying to and from Fayetteville, NC during the Festival of Flight, which is to be held May 16 to 26, special procedures for the surrounding airspace will be implemented daily from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EDT. The FAA is urging IFR operators to be familiar with VFR holding and arrival procedures and, when possible, to cancel their IFR flight plans and proceed VFR. IFR aircraft not canceling may experience lengthy hold times and will need to carry additional fuel, warns the FAA. For more information on these special procedures, contact the Fayetteville Tower at (910) 323-0849. For more information about Fayetteville's Festival of Flight, visit http://www.festivalofflight.org. For general airspace/air traffic news, visit:
www.nbaa.org/airspace

CAPE APPROACH ADVICE TO EASE CONGESTION AND DELAYS
At a recent Cape Approach Users Dialogue meeting, several suggestions were made to help ease congestion and delays for Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard and Cape Cod traffic during the peak summer months of June to August. Operators should: (1) file a flight plan as soon as possible, but no later than two hours before departure; (2) avoid peak times, especially during June, July and August between the hours of 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Fridays, 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sundays, and 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Mondays; and (3) be familiar with special traffic management procedures (STMPs) as they become necessary, especially during the peak periods. For more information, contact NBAA's Dean Saucier at dsaucier@nbaa.org.

WATERBURY-OXFORD, CT RUNWAY IS BEING LENGTHENED; EXPECT CLOSURES
The runway at Waterbury-Oxford Airport (OXC) in Connecticut is being lengthened, and until the construction is completed, there will be routine closure of the runway. Typical daily closures will be from 7:00 or 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 or 5:00 p.m. During the runway closure period, a limited number of departures may be permitted, and there will be intermittent shutdown of the ILS system. Taxiway A, the primary taxiway, also will be undergoing construction. Operators should check NOTAMS or call OXC at (203) 264-8010. For more information, contact NBAA's Dean Saucier at dsaucier@nbaa.org.

NEW RNAV ROUTINGS IMPLEMENTED IN SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA
On April 28, the FAA implemented two new RNAV routing initiatives from the San Francisco Bay area as part of the Bay-to-Basin Enroute Redesign Project of the National Airspace Redesign. For more information, visit: www.nbaa.org/airspace/sanfran_rnav.htm

FAA ALASKAN REGION AIR TRAFFIC WEB SITE UPDATED
The FAA Alaskan Region Air Traffic Division web site has been updated with three new items: Talkeetna Runway 18 traffic pattern change (www.alaska.faa.gov/at/notices/tka-18-tp.htm), Ambler Class E Airspace revision (www.alaska.faa.gov/at/nprm/ambler.htm) and new 1:250,000 scale insets for Dutch Harbor, Ketchikan, Juneau and Kodiak (www.alaska.faa.gov/at/index.htm). For general airspace/air traffic news, visit:
www.nbaa.org/airspace

MAINTENANCE CONFERENCE BEGINS THIS SATURDAY; RUSTY WALLACE TO SPEAK
The business aviation community is invited to celebrate 100 years of aviation maintenance at the NBAA Maintenance Management Conference, to be held May 17 to 20 in Charlotte, NC. Celebrated racecar driver Rusty Wallace will be the guest speaker next Tuesday, May 20, during a session on High-Performance Team Building sponsored by Bombardier. For an additional fee, Maintenance Management Conference Attendees are invited to participate in either a Professional Development Program Course or a Maintenance Manual Workshop on Wednesday, May 21. For more information or to register, contact NBAA at (202) 783-9283 or seminars@nbaa.org, or visit the web at:
www.nbaa.org/seminars/mmc/mmc_2003.htm

NEW YORK BUSINESS AVIATION FORUM ON JUN. 5 TO FEATURE EXHIBITS
NBAA invites your company to display its products and services to the New York-area business aviation community, one of the world's largest and most active corporate aviation centers. NBAA's New York Business Aviation Forum & Static Display, to be held at Republic Airport (FRG) in Farmingdale, NY on June 5, will feature dozens of Exhibitors, more than 30 aircraft on Static Display and more than 1,500 Attendees. Indoor exhibit space is still available, and Static Display space is available for new, charter and pre-owned aircraft. Admission to the Forum is complimentary. In addition to the exhibits, the NBAA Forum also will offer Attendees a number of informational sessions on important topics such as security, safety, maintenance, taxes and insurance. For more information, to register, or to exhibit, visit:
www.nbaa.org/seminars/baf/baf_2003_06_05.htm

MAY AND JUNE OPERATION REACHBAC EVENTS SCHEDULED FOR AUSTIN, ST. LOUIS
NBAA's Operation REACHBAC (Regional Effort to Advise, Communicate with and Help the Business Aviation Community) is a program created to heighten two-way communications between NBAA and its Members. The business aviation community is invited to two upcoming REACHBAC events, where Attendees will be able to exchange information, perspectives and opinions with local aviation authorities and NBAA Staff members. The May 15 event in Austin, TX will begin at 6:00 p.m. at Trajen Flight Support at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), and the June 6 event in St. Louis, MO will take place at 5:30 p.m. at Emerson Electric Flight Operations, Spirit of St. Louis Airport (SUS). For details about both events, including speaker information, visit:
www.nbaa.org/seminars/reachbac

DC-AREA AVIATION OPEN NETS OVER $100,000 FOR CORPORATE ANGEL NETWORK
On Monday, May 5, the 15th Annual Greater Washington Aviation Open (GWAO) raised $105,000 for the Corporate Angel Network (CAN), a charity that arranges free flights for cancer patients to treatment using empty seats on corporate jets. Congressman Martin Olav Sabo (D-MN), ranking Democrat for the Subcommittee on Transportation Appropriations, served as this year's honorary chairman. More than 275 golfers and a handful of tennis players representing government and aviation community officials participated. NBAA is a sponsor and co-founder of this event. For more information, contact NBAA's Pete West at pwest@nbaa.org or visit the official GWAO web site at:
www.gwao.org

ANOTHER NBAA OPERATOR PROVIDES TRANSPORTATION FOR INJURED IRAQ SOLDIER
Aviation Material & Technical Support (AVMATS) recently donated the use of a Sabreliner so that Kevin Maguire, a U.S. Army combat engineer injured in Iraq, could fly home to Missouri's Spirit of St. Louis Airport. Kevin Maguire, the son of AVMATS employee Jim Maguire, sustained neck and spinal cord injuries while helping set up coalition defenses around Baghdad International Airport but is expected to make a full recovery after six months of rehabilitation. For more information, contact NBAA's John Balsiger at jbalsiger@nbaa.org.

CORPORATE ANGEL AWARD HONORS NBAA MEMBER LIMITED BRANDS
Corporate Angel Network (CAN), a national public charity whose sole mission is to arrange free flights for cancer patients to treatment using empty seats on corporate jets, announced on Tuesday, May 6 that Limited Brands is the recipient of this quarter's Corporate Angel Award. Established in 2001 by ChevronTexaco and Business & Commercial Aviation magazine, the quarterly award recognizes corporations for outstanding dedication and service to cancer patients through their participation in CAN. The Corporate Angel Award honors NBAA Member Limited Brands and its flight department for devoted and highly responsive service to cancer patients. Since 1999, Limited Brands has been very active in CAN, transporting countless men, women and children to cancer treatment centers across the country. In 2002 alone, the company logged 52 such flights on its shuttle and executive aircraft. Your company can get involved, too; review current patient travel needs at:
www.corpangelnetwork.org/corporate/seats.html