NBAA Update Archive

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NBAA Update #03-29
Monday, July 21, 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.

HOUSE AND SENATE WORKING TO RESOLVE FAA REAUTHORIZATION BILLS
U.S. House and Senate conferees have begun resolving differences between their two versions of FAA reauthorization bills. The House version provides $59 billion over four years, while the Senate version approves $43.5 billion over three years. In addition to containing proposed funding levels for the FAA and the Airport Improvement Program, the House and Senate bills contain several provisions important to NBAA's Members, including a civil penalty for closure of an airport without providing sufficient notice, prohibition on air traffic control privatization and grant assurances. NBAA efforts include urging the conferees to incorporate the NBAA-supported provisions allowing non-commercial and commercial general aviation operations to regain access to Reagan National Airport (DCA), although they only are part of a House-passed transportation security technical corrections measure. NBAA is communicating its stance on key provisions to conference members and encouraging completion of the committee's work before Congress adjourns for summer recess this Friday, July 25. For more information, contact NBAA's Pete West at pwest@nbaa.org.

NBAA REQUESTS POLICY DETERMINATION AFFECTING DOT PART 375
Last Friday, July 18, NBAA again urged the Department of Transportation (DOT) to issue a policy determination to clarify that traditional business aircraft operations are authorized by regulation and are not subject to the prior approval requirements of Part 375 of the Department's regulations, which covers commercial aviation operations other than common carriage. Such a determination will remove an impediment to efficient business aviation operations that are entirely non-commercial. The DOT is soliciting comments from interested parties regarding the NBAA request for a policy determination, which first was issued on May 16. Individuals may submit comments on this issue via the DOT Docket Management System, referencing Docket No. OST-2003-15511, at dms.dot.gov. Download copies of NBAA's May 16 and July 18 letters online at:
www.nbaa.org/gov

NBAA AND FRIENDS OF MEIGS CONTINUE EFFORTS TO SAVE MEIGS FIELD
Despite the FAA's decision last week to decommission operations at Chicago's Merrill C. Meigs Field (CGX), as well as the approval of a $1.5 million contract by Chicago's Park District for further airport demolition, NBAA is exploring what options, if any, remain to save this airport. For more information, contact NBAA's Pete West at pwest@nbaa.org. Interested parties are encouraged to express their concern with these developments to their elected officials at the Federal, state and local levels via the NBAA Contact Congress web site at:
www.nbaa.org/congress

TSA ACCESS CERTIFICATE (TSAAC) TRAINING SCHEDULED FOR HPN AND MMU
In early August, NBAA will be conducting Transportation Security Administration Access Certificate (TSAAC) Program security protocol training for Part 91 operators based at Westchester County Airport (HPN) in White Plains, NY and Morristown Municipal Airport (MMU) in Morristown, NJ. More than 60 participants representing nearly 30 operators have signed up for the training. Successful completion of the NBAA-conducted training is required in order to apply for a TSAAC. For more information about the TSAAC Program, contact NBAA's Eric Ramsdell at eramsdell@nbaa.org. For more information regarding NBAA security resources, see the NBAA Best Practices for Business Aviation Security online at:
www.nbaa.org/ops/security/bestpractices.htm

MEET NBAA'S NEW PRESIDENT AND DENVER TSA DIRECTOR AT JUL. 24 REACHBAC
NBAA will host a complimentary REACHBAC luncheon on Thursday, July 24 at Denver's Centennial Airport (APA). All members of the business aviation community are invited to attend and meet Shelley A. Longmuir, NBAA's new president, and Patrick Ahlstrom, acting TSA federal security director for the Denver area. The event, sponsored by Multi Service Corp., will be held at 12:00 noon, Signature Flight Support, 8001 South InterPort Blvd., Centennial Airport, Englewood, CO, tel: (303) 799-8388. To RSVP, contact NBAA's June DeFontes at jdefontes@nbaa.org. For more information, contact NBAA's Paul Smith at psmith@nbaa.org or visit:
www.nbaa.org/seminars/reachbac/rb_2003_07_24.htm

FAA ISSUES PROPOSED POLICY FOR WEIGHT-BASED RESTRICTIONS AT AIRPORTS
The FAA is requesting comments on a proposed statement of policy regarding the use of weight-based airport access restrictions. The draft policy is intended to apply a uniform national standard for implementing such restrictions, and to ensure that they are not arbitrary and unjustly discriminatory. NBAA is reviewing the policy and will provide comments to the docket by the August 15, 2003, deadline. Individuals may submit comments on this issue via the DOT Docket Management System, referencing Docket No. FAA-2003-15495, at dms.dot.gov. Review the proposed FAA policy in PDF format at:
www.nbaa.org/airports

NBAA SAFETY RECOMMENDATION #4
IMPLEMENT A CFIT AVOIDANCE STRATEGY
Even if your aircraft do not operate near mountainous terrain, NBAA encourages Members to implement a Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) avoidance strategy. CFIT occurs when an otherwise serviceable aircraft is inadvertently flown into the ground, water or an obstacle. While one may think of CFIT as occurring solely near mountainous or hilly terrain, it also frequently occurs in relatively featureless terrain. Despite recent progress in reducing the incidence of these types of accidents, CFIT remains the primary cause of aviation fatalities. To address this issue, the Flight Safety Foundation (FSF) has produced the Approach and Landing Accident Reduction (ALAR) Toolkit and the CFIT Checklist; learn more at www.flightsafety.org. For more information about safety issues, visit the NBAA Safety web site at:
www.nbaa.org/safety

NBAA AND FAA KICK OFF FIRST GA DAY AT ATC SYSTEM COMMAND CENTER
Last Thursday, NBAA President Shelley A. Longmuir and Jack Kies of the FAA Air Traffic Control System Command Center (ATCSCC) kicked off the first General Aviation (GA) Day at this FAA facility. The role of the ATCSCC, located in Herndon, VA, is to safely and efficiently manage the flow of air traffic in the National Airspace System (NAS) within the continental United States. GA Day was designed to bring business aviation operators and FAA managers together for a day of interactive training on how to operate in the NAS. More than 25 NBAA Members were present for the debut of the day-long meeting, and future GA Day dates will be announced. For more information, contact NBAA's Jo Damato at jdamato@nbaa.org.

WHICH AIRPORTS HAVE CUSTOMS SERVICES AVAILABLE IN CANADA?
The Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) web site answers many questions about clearing Customs in Canada. According to the CCRA, "All aircraft arriving in Canada must land at an approved Airport of Entry during specified customs hours of operations. Currently customs services are available at 146 airports designated as Airports of Entry." A list of these Airports of Entry, as well as telephone reporting requirements, can be found on the CCRA web site. For more information on this or other operational topics, contact the NBAA Operations Service Group at info@nbaa.org.

NEGOTIATING YOUR INSURANCE PREMIUMS
Insurance premiums for aircraft and liability continue to be of concern to NBAA Members. Rates have increased for many single-pilot operations and propeller aircraft. There may be room to negotiate your insurance rates, however. Recently, in two separate meetings with NBAA Members, both Member Companies indicated that by working cooperatively and creatively with their brokers, they were able to get a reduction in the premium. One Member successfully negotiated down the insurance premium increase from 168 percent to 80 percent. Although still a substantial and unwelcome increase, the sting was far less than it could otherwise have been. In the coming weeks, NBAA will provide additional information on how you can prepare for your insurance renewal, partner with your insurance broker and minimize premium increases, online at:
www.nbaa.org/taxes

GPS INTERFERENCE IN LAS VEGAS AREA JUL. 31 TO AUG. 3
From July 31 to August 3, 2003, GPS reception is expected to be unreliable within a 410 nm radius of the Las Vegas VORTAC at FL 400, decreasing in area with decrease in altitude. IFR operations based upon GPS navigation should not be planned in the affected area during the periods indicated on the NOTAM. To review the NOTAM (provided by the International Air Transportation Association) and a graphic of the affected area, visit the NBAA web site at:
www.nbaa.org/cns

AVOID TRAVEL DELAYS IN NE PENNSYLVANIA, COLORADO SPRINGS AREAS
Operators should expect congested airspace in Northeastern Pennsylvania in conjunction with the Pennsylvania 500 Winston Cup race to be held Sunday, July 27 in Pocono, PA. Airports most affected by race-related traffic between July 24 and 27 will be Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE) in Allentown, PA and Scranton International Airport (AVP) in Wilkes-Barre, PA. In addition, Colorado Springs Municipal Airport (COS) in Colorado Springs, CO will be the airport of choice for race traffic related to a Busch Series race on Saturday, July 26 in Colorado Springs. Race traffic will take place from July 23 to 26. To avoid unnecessary congestion and delays in both areas, plan flights accordingly. For more information, contact NBAA's Dean Saucier at dsaucier@nbaa.org.

LOS ANGELES SEEKS TO CONVERT MARINE CORPS STATION TO COMMERCIAL FIELD
NBAA is researching a City of Los Angeles proposal to seek the assistance of the Department of Transportation (DOT) to convert a Marine Corps Air Station from a military airfield owned by the Department of the Navy to a commercial airfield owned by DOT and operated by the Los Angeles World Airports in accordance with a long-term lease. The air station, known as El Toro, currently is a military airfield located in Orange County, California, an area that is in major need of additional airport capacity. NBAA will continue to report on this situation as it evolves. For more information, contact NBAA's Jeff Gilley at jgilley@nbaa.org.

CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY BILL 694 REMAINS ON THE HORIZON
NBAA Staff members are closely monitoring California's Assembly Bill (AB) 694. To help bridge the state's projected $34 billion budget deficit, AB 694 would change the exemption requirements for the state's sales and use tax on aircraft sales and leases. New owners or lessees would be required to keep their aircraft out of the state for double the current time to qualify for exemption (increasing from three months out of state to six months). This would increase the cost of the transaction and significantly reduce revenues to California's business aviation service industry. AB 694 is currently back in committee for additional work. For more information, contact NBAA's Dan Burkhart at dburkhart@nbaa.org or Mike Nichols at mnichols@nbaa.org.

AIRPORT EXPLORATORY STUDY ISSUED FOR FLORIDA'S WITHAM FIELD
Martin County, Florida has published a 178-page airport exploratory study on the options being considered for Stuart FL's Witham Field Airport (SUA). The study can be reviewed at webserver.martin.fl.us/GOVT/depts/mca/study.html The public is invited to submit written comments regarding the study until July 31. Comments may be submitted via e-mail to aes@martin.fl.us or via mail to Mr. Dan Hudson, Deputy County Administrator, Martin County Board of County Commissioners, 2401 SE Monterey Road, Stuart, FL 34996. For more information, contact NBAA's Harry Houckes at hhouckes@nbaa.org.

BOSTON-AREA AIRCRAFT NOISE COMPLAINTS RAISED
NBAA representatives recently attended a meeting at the Boston office of Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) regarding aircraft noise complaints. Among those in attendance were representatives from the FAA, United States Air Force, local flight schools and Plane Sense, a local group concerned about aerobatic and flight-training aircraft noise. Plane Sense, which uses high-powered stabilized binoculars to obtain aircraft N-numbers and maintain a log of flight-training aircraft, made three proposals: The FAA should increase regulation of the industry; the Federal government should mandate quieter aircraft; and flight training should be performed over forests, lakes, reservoirs and interstate highways. NBAA urges Members to be vigilant about practicing noise-abatement procedures and aware of the concerns of local groups. For more information, contact NBAA's Dean Saucier at dsaucier@nbaa.org, or visit the NBAA Noise Abatement Program web site at:
www.nbaa.org/noise

PALWAUKEE AIRPORT RECOGNIZED FOR NOISE-ABATEMENT PROCEDURES
The Wheeling/Prospect Heights, IL Chamber of Commerce selected Palwaukee Municipal Airport (PWK) as its 2002 Business of the Year to recognize the airport's contribution to the local economy and its efforts to improve relations with the local community, particularly through its noise-abatement program. A general aviation reliever airport located nine miles north of Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, Palwaukee is home to 343 aircraft. It employs about 400 people and generates an estimated $37.5 million in direct economic impact on the local community. For more information, contact NBAA's John Balsiger at jbalsiger@nbaa.org.

LYNDON AIRPORT TO RECEIVE NEW LIGHTING
Caledonia County Airport (6B8) in Lyndonville, VT, will receive FAA-compliant runway and obstacle lighting. The Vermont Agency of Transportation has applied for a permit to upgrade lighting at the airport. The town's governing body endorses the lighting proposal, citing expanded business opportunities, economic growth, and regional development as reasons for installing it. For more information, contact NBAA's Dean Saucier at dsaucier@nbaa.org.

LEARJET SAFETY STANDDOWN TO BE HELD OCT. 28-30
Bombardier Learjet is scheduled to hold its annual Safety Standdown on October 28 to 30 at the Hyatt Regency in Wichita, KS. Operators of any type of business aircraft can attend the seminar free of charge. The three-day conference will feature a series of two-hour sessions, and the material covered is applicable to all jet aircraft regardless of manufacturer. For more information, visit the NBAA web site at:
www.nbaa.org/ops/safety/LearjetSafetyStanddown2003.php

CAM PROGRAM INTRODUCES WEB-BASED APPLICATION FORM
Now available online is a web-based version of the Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) Application, which enables qualified individuals to apply to take the CAM Exam. NBAA will offer the CAM Exam for the first time on the morning of Monday, October 6 in Orlando, FL, in conjunction with the NBAA 56th Annual Meeting & Convention. Applications for the October 6 CAM Exam must be submitted to NBAA no later than Monday, September 1. View the online CAM Application at www.nbaa.org/ops/adm/cam. For more information about the CAM Program, visit the official web site at:
www.nbaa.org/cam

VISIT NBAA TENT AT EAA AIRVENTURE NEXT WEEK; MEET NBAA PRESIDENT LONGMUIR
NBAA will exhibit at the Experimental Aircraft Association's (EAA's) AirVenture Oshkosh from July 29 to August 4 in Oshkosh, WI. Stop by the NBAA tent to meet new NBAA President Shelley A. Longmuir and other Staff members, including John Balsiger, Bob Blouin, Kathleen Blouin, Sue Kaplan, Paul Smith and Sandy Wirtz, who will be available to answer questions about NBAA, the business aviation community and the NBAA 56th Annual Meeting & Convention, to be held October 7 to 9 in Orlando, FL. EAA's Countdown to Kitty Hawk exhibit, which features a replica of the 1903 Wright Flyer, will make a stop at NBAA's Convention this fall. Learn more about NBAA2003 at:
www.nbaa.org/conventions/2003

TRAVEL$ENSE RELEASE 3.67 UPDATE
This Travel$ense software upgrade corrects problems introduced with the passenger quantity multiplier in Release 3.66 that affected imported trips and single-leg trips. Database updates also are provided for most Mexican airports to reflect recent daylight savings time implementation changes.
www.nbaa.org/ops/adm/travelsense/update

TEACHERS, CELEBRATE 100 YEARS OF FLIGHT WITH AVKIDS
AvKids is an NBAA program designed to educate elementary school students about the benefits of business aviation to the community and the career opportunities available to them in the business aviation industry. At the AvKids.com web site, educators can receive free materials about the Wright Brothers and the science of flight to celebrate the Centennial of Flight. Many of these materials, including the AvKids Activity Guide, have been created by teachers and conform with the National Standards of Learning. Learn more at:
http://www.avkids.com