NBAA Update Archive

NBAA Update #03-30
Monday, July 28, 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.

SENATE AND HOUSE TO VOTE ON FAA REAUTHORIZATION
Last Friday, July 25, a House and Senate conference committee agreed upon language for a bill that would reauthorize funding and programs for the FAA. The bill would provide $59 billion for these programs over four years. NBAA advocated for many provisions included in the bill, which can be downloaded in PDF format at www.nbaa.org/govt/108th/Report108-240.pdf. Full Senate and House votes have not yet been scheduled; the bill must then be signed into law by President Bush. For more information, contact NBAA's Pete West at pwest@nbaa.org.

GENERAL AVIATION ACCESS TO DCA INCLUDED IN FAA BILL
A significant provision included in the FAA reauthorization bill would restore general aviation access to Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). The measure calls for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop a security plan to be used by general aviation aircraft operators seeking access to DCA and also requires the FAA to give operators complying with the security plan access to the airport. NBAA worked diligently to include this provision in the bill and looks forward to working with DHS on the development of the security plan. Previously, NBAA had developed with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) a security protocol known as the TSA Access Certificate (TSAAC), which may be incorporated into the TSA's DCA security plan. For more information, visit:
www.nbaa.org/ops/airports/dca

NBAA URGES SUPPORT OF POLICY DETERMINATION FOR DOT PART 375
At the request of the Air Transport Association, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has granted a two-week extension to accept comments regarding NBAA's request for a policy determination under DOT Regulation Part 375 that FAR Part 91 business aircraft operations under certain operational circumstances (such as carriage of a company's own officials and guests, or aircraft time sharing interchange, or joint ownership arrangements between companies) do not constitute operations "for remuneration or hire." A favorable DOT response would eliminate the need for certain NBAA Members to secure a permit for such operations. All interested parties are encouraged to submit comments in support of Docket No. OST-2003-15511 via the web at http://dms.dot.gov. For more information, visit:
www.nbaa.org/gov

BUSINESS AVIATION AIRPORT ACCESS PROGRAM DEBUTS ON NBAA WEB SITE
Airports throughout the United States face pressures that may restrict business aviation access. NBAA's new Business Aviation Airport Access Program (BAAAP) was created to identify, track and resolve issues that place domestic airport access in jeopardy. Compiled by five NBAA Regional Representatives based throughout the United States, the BAAAP reports can provide a framework for understanding the political pressures facing airports today and help NBAA Members become more involved in solving airport access problems. To review the BAAAP web site, visit:
www.nbaa.org/baaap

NBAA2003 BEGINS TEN WEEKS FROM TOMORROW
The NBAA 56th Annual Meeting & Convention will celebrate the 100th anniversary of powered flight from Tuesday, October 7 to Thursday, October 9, 2003, at the Orlando/Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. To help commemorate the anniversary, on display will be a replica of the 1903 Wright Flyer, courtesy of the Experimental Aircraft Association, Ford Motor Company and other corporate sponsors, along with vintage aircraft simulators and authentic artifacts provided by the Franklin Institute. NBAA2003 also will feature more than 1,000 Exhibitors, 75 Informational Sessions and 135 aircraft on Static Display at Orlando Executive Airport. For more information or to register, visit:
www.nbaa.org/conventions/2003

NBAA SAFETY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION #5:
IMPLEMENT AN APPROACH-AND-LANDING (ALA) AVOIDANCE STRATEGY
What is the most frequent type of operational accident for business/corporate aircraft? For decades, approach-and-landing accidents (ALAs) consistently have accounted for approximately 50 percent of U.S. business aviation accidents, with no evidence of recent improvement. These accidents often are manifestations of deficiencies that begin in the approach phase or even earlier. The Flight Safety Foundation has produced an awareness and training aid, the Approach and Landing Accident Reduction (ALAR) Toolkit, enabling operators to capitalize on the Foundation's accident research. Learn more at the FSF web site at www.flightsafety.org. In addition, the NBAA Safety Committee urges Members to adopt standard operating procedures and approach "gates" similar to those contained in the NBAA Prototypical Business Aviation Safety Program Manual, available online at:
www.nbaa.org/member/safety/manual

THREE MORE AIRPORTS TO RECEIVE JOINT-USE CONVERSION FUNDS
The FAA has selected three more airports to participate in the Military Airport Program (MAP), an effort to finance conversion of military airfields to joint or civilian use. Funds will be used by Hawaii's Kalaeloa Airport (HJR; the former Naval Air Station Barbers Point) to upgrade the facilities so it can serve as a reliever to Honolulu International (HNL). In addition, money is being provided to Castle Airport (MER) -- a general aviation field in Atwater, CA -- to improve utilities and roads and rehabilitate hangars. Finally, Southern California Logistics Airport (VCV) in Victorville, CA, is building a new fuel farm. For information about business aviation airport issues, visit the NBAA Airports page at:
www.nbaa.org/airports

FAA ISSUES 'ROADMAP' FOR TRANSITION TO SATELLITE-BASED ATC SYSTEM
The FAA has released a plan on how it will develop air traffic procedures so that pilots will eventually be able to use on-board technology to navigate using only geographic coordinates. Required navigation performance (RNP) and area navigation (RNAV) airspace and procedures, coupled with increasing use of global positioning system (GPS), will form the foundation for moving the United States toward a satellite-based air traffic management system by 2020. The FAA has promised to "work collaboratively with the aviation community to implement these procedures and to provide near-term operational benefits for users." The RNP Roadmap can be found at www.atca.org. For more information about business aviation airspace issues, visit the NBAA Airspace web site at:
www.nbaa.org/airspace

MEMBERS INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN AUTOMATED FLIGHT SERVICE STATION SURVEY
The FAA, in collaboration with the Mitre Corporation, is sponsoring an Automated Flight Service Station (AFSS) online survey. All certificated pilots who use automated flight service stations are encouraged to participate in this online survey as a means to measure quality and help identify opportunities for improved services to the general aviation community. For more information, visit:
www.nbaa.org/airspace

CAN 50-PERCENT BONUS DEPRECIATION BE APPLIED TO USED AIRCRAFT PURCHASES?
The 50-percent bonus applies to new aircraft, not used ones, and it also may apply to new engines, avionics and capital upgrades. Under the modified accelerated cost recovery system (MACRS), owners of business aircraft have the ability to recover 100 percent of the cost of their business aircraft through depreciation deductions. As a result of the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003, owners of new business aircraft have the option of taking 50 percent of the adjusted cost of a new aircraft in the first year as "bonus depreciation," plus the standard first-year depreciation. The 50-percent bonus also requires that the property be contracted for, purchased and placed in service within a prescribed window of time. For more information about bonus depreciation, visit:
www.nbaa.org/taxes

OHIO BUDGET BILL SIGNED; BUSINESS AVIATION TAXES IMPACTED
The Governor of Ohio recently signed the state's budget bill into law. The new budget changes how intrastate aircraft transportation of persons is taxed, raises aircraft registration fees, and includes key provisions for fractional aircraft owners and operators. For more information, visit:
web.nbaa.org/member/ops/taxes/state/oh

BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR TO LONG ISLAND, NY COMMUNITIES
Each year at about this time, air traffic -- particularly helicopter traffic -- to and from Eastern Long Island, NY increases, and with the increase in traffic comes an increase in noise complaints. The Eastern Region Helicopter Council has been deluged with e-mails from the Kings Park area, located approximately six miles west/southwest of Stony Brook, NY. NBAA advises operators to avoid flying over the Kings Park area whenever possible by staying over Long Island Sound as long as practical. This should assist in the reduction of noise complaints and perhaps show the public that the business aviation community is sensitive to their perceived noise issues. For more information, contact NBAA's Dean Saucier at dsaucier@nbaa.org.

AVOID TRAVEL DELAYS IN INDIANAPOLIS AREA THIS WEEK
Indianapolis Motor Speedway will be the site of the Busch and Winston Cup races this Saturday and Sunday, August 2 and 3. Race-related traffic is expected to arrive in this area by the afternoon of Thursday, July 31 and to depart by the evening of Sunday, August 3. Plan flights accordingly on these days to avoid unnecessary congestion and delays. For more information, contact NBAA's Dean Saucier at dsaucier@nbaa.org.

BE PREPARED FOR CONSTRUCTION AT RALEIGH-DURHAM AIRPORT IN NC
If you are headed for Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) in North Carolina, be prepared for congestion, construction and the small parking area at the Piedmont-Hawthorne facility. Construction in front of the FBO is intended to enlarge and improve the current ramp. In addition, a new Piedmont FBO facility, designed by and for flightcrews, is scheduled to open in late September or early October. For more information, contact NBAA's Dean Saucier at dsaucier@nbaa.org.

MEET NEW NBAA PRESIDENT SHELLEY LONGMUIR AT AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH
Shelley A. Longmuir will be available to meet members of the aviation community on Thursday, July 31 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at NBAA's tent during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2003 in Oshkosh, WI. Additional members of the NBAA Staff will be available at the tent from July 29 to August 4 to answer questions about the Association, 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 the NBAA Convention at:
www.nbaa.org/conventions/2003

CHICAGO REACHBAC ON AUG. 21 TO FEATURE NBAA PRESIDENT SHELLEY LONGMUIR
All members of the business aviation community are invited to meet Shelley A. Longmuir, NBAA's new president, at a complimentary REACHBAC dinner on Thursday, August 21 at Chicago's DuPage Airport (DPA). Sponsored by Multi Service Corp., the event will take place at 5:30 p.m., DuPage's main terminal building, 2700 International Dr., West Chicago, IL. To RSVP, contact NBAA's June DeFontes by August 18 at jdefontes@nbaa.org. For more information, visit:
www.nbaa.org/seminars/reachbac/rb_2003_08_21.htm

NORTH CAROLINA GROUP TO MEET AUG. 5 IN GREENSBORO
The North Carolina Business Aviation Association (NCBAA) will hold its quarterly meeting at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 5 at the VF facility, Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO), Greensboro, NC. Current and prospective NCBAA members are welcome to attend and learn about issues of interest to the local business aviation community. For more information, contact NBAA's Dean Saucier at dsaucier@nbaa.org.

150 ATTENDED DENVER REACHBAC FEATURING SHELLEY LONGMUIR
More than 150 people attended a Denver-area REACHBAC luncheon at Centennial Airport (APA) on July 24. Featured speakers were NBAA President Shelley A. Longmuir and TSA Federal Security Director Patrick Alhstrom. During the event, Longmuir and NBAA Regional Representative Paul H. Smith presented an NBAA Silk Scarf Award to Dr. Gwendolyn Mayo, founder of Mayo Aviation, a general aviation services company based at the airport, in appreciation for her contributions to the business aviation community. For more information or to view photos from the event, visit:
www.nbaa.org/seminars/reachbac/rb_2003_07_24.htm

NBAA SUPPORTS AVIATION COMMUNITY'S PRESENCE AS OFFICIAL .AERO PARTNER
NBAA has adopted .aero web site addresses for its international events in Europe and Latin America. The EBACE web site at http://www.ebace.aero provides information about EBACE, the only European exhibition of its kind to focus exclusively on business aviation, and the LABACE web site at http://www.labace.aero is devoted to LABACE, the only Latin American exhibition of its kind to focus exclusively on business aviation. For more information, visit:
www.nbaa.org/news/pr/2003/20030728-041.php

AVKIDS.COM SELECTED AS "BEST BET" BY USA TODAY
NBAA's AvKids.com web site has been selected as a "Best Bet" on the USA TODAY Education web site for the week of August 22 to 29. "Best Bet" sites are chosen based on their educational value to the USA TODAY subscribers. Fewer than 150 sites are selected each year. Learn more at:
www.nbaa.org/news/pr/2003/20030724-040.php