NBAA Update Archive
NBAA Update #03-48
Monday, December 1, 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. Subscribe for free or review the archives at www.nbaa.org/update. Send your comments about NBAA Update to update@nbaa.org.
FAA'S
NEW COO RUSS CHEW DETAILS "MORE EFFICIENT OPERATIONS" AHEAD
In a speech last week to the Aero Club of Washington, new FAA Chief Operating Officer Russ
Chew discussed his approach to redesigning the FAA's air traffic function. Review the full
text of his remarks at:
http://www.aeroclub.org/speeches/chew_2003_11_25.htm
OPERATORS: PREPARE
FOR HOLIDAY VOLUME AND RELATED AIRSPACE INITIATIVES
During the winter months -- specifically on Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays and days associated
with holidays -- the increased volume of general aviation traffic to and from the Florida
terminals and the New York metropolitan area results in departure and enroute delays to all
National Airspace System (NAS) operators. Operators should be aware of and apply best practices
and also review six recommended or anticipated routes to help mitigate delays on Florida and
New York departures while effectively managing enroute volume. For more information about
the best practices and recommended routes, visit the NBAA web site at:
http://www.nbaa.org/ops/airspace/holiday
CHECK SKI-SEASON STMPS
FOR ROCKY MOUNTAIN AIRPORTS
Operators are encouraged to check NOTAMs to see if Special Traffic Management Programs (STMPs)
are in effect during ski season at eight airports in Colorado, Idaho and Wyoming. When anticipated
weather conditions or traffic volumes dictate, the FAA will activate STMPs at the following
Colorado airports: Aspen-Pitkin County/Sardy Field Airport (ASE), Rifle/Garfield County Field
Airport (RIL), Telluride Regional Airport (TEX), Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ) and Eagle
County Regional Airport (EGE). In addition, STMPs could be implemented between now and mid-April
at Wyoming's Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) and Idaho's Friedman Memorial Airport (SUN) and Joslin
Field/Magic Valley Regional Airport (TWF). Operators who decide not to use their slots are
asked to cancel them promptly so others may have access to these airports. For more information,
call (800) 875-9755 or visit:
http://www.fly.faa.gov/estmp
EXPECTED TFRs
FOR UPCOMING VIP TRAVEL
Operators should anticipate temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) for upcoming VIP travel on
December 2 in Pittsburgh, PA; December 3 and 4 in Stuttgart, Arkansas; and December 5 in Tulsa,
OK; Abilene, TX; and Baltimore, MD. Since VIP TFRs are announced shortly before they go into
effect, Members must continue to use all resources to prevent flying into restricted airspace.
Operators are urged to review NOTAMs carefully prior to every flight. NBAA has created an
Airspace Alerts e-mail list to provide a single source for distributing information about
upcoming VIP TFRs and other airspace issues considered to have a significant impact on NBAA
Member flight operations. To subscribe, visit: http://web.nbaa.org/member/ops/airspace/alerts.
For more information, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/ops/airspace/restrictions
PROPOSED ETOPS REGULATIONS FOR
PART 135 FLIGHTS
NBAA is developing comments to the proposed FAA Regulations on Extended Operations (ETOPS)
of Multi-Engine Airplanes. These regulations would establish aircraft certification and operating
standards for long-range flights conducted under FAR Part 135. The standards would limit all
Part 135 aircraft operations to within 180 minutes of an airport unless the FAA approves the
operator for extended operations. NBAA will host a one-day meeting in Washington, DC in early
January 2004 to discuss the rule and identify areas for comment. To participate in the meeting
and for location details, contact NBAA's Mike Nichols at mnichols@nbaa.org.
To download a copy of the proposed rule in PDF format, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/ops/#etops
RVSM IMPLEMENTED
ON ASIA-EUROPE ROUTES
On November 27, routes between Europe, the Middle East and Asia (south of the Himalayas) became
the latest sections of airspace to be converted to Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM)
standards. The decrease in vertical separation from 2,000 feet to 1,000 feet allows more aircraft
to utilize efficient cruising altitudes and provides a more seamless transition through Middle
Eastern airspace. RVSM implementation began in 1997 over the North Atlantic and has since
been applied to the South Atlantic, the Pacific and Southeast Asia. RVSM is to be implemented
in U.S. domestic airspace on January 20, 2005. For more information on RVSM, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/member/rvsm
2ND
EDITION OF COMPENSATION & BENCHMARK SURVEY RESULTS NOW AVAILABLE
The second edition of the compiled data from the 2003 NBAA Compensation & Benchmark Survey
is now available online to survey participants. The recompiled results include data submitted
by 1,080 aviation departments. Survey participants can view results in Adobe PDF format as
well as create their own aircraft-specific and location-specific reports for salary data.
For companies that did not participate in the survey, NBAA Member Representatives may purchase
access to survey results by contacting NBAA's Sarah Dicke at sdicke@nbaa.org.
http://www.nbaa.org/surveys/cbs/results.htm
WHAT IS AN "INTERCHANGE
AGREEMENT"?
An interchange agreement is defined in 14 CFR 91.501 (c)(2) as an "arrangement whereby
a person leases his airplane to another person in exchange for equal time, when needed, on
the other person's airplane, and no charge, assessment, or fee is made, except that a charge
may be made not to exceed the difference between the cost of owning, operating, and maintaining
the two airplanes." This allows two companies to swap time on aircraft they own. The
exchange must be hour-for-hour (i.e., one cannot trade two hours on a Citation for one hour
on a Gulfstream), but an hourly charge may be made to make up for the difference in operating
costs. This arrangement requires a leasing agreement and is subject to taxation. More information
may be found on NBAA's web site at:
http://www.nbaa.org/taxes
RHODE ISLAND ISSUES REVISED
AIRCRAFT USE TAX REGULATION
The Rhode Island Division of Taxation has issued a revised Regulation regarding the application
of the use tax to noncommercial aircraft in Rhode Island. Due in large part to the efforts
of NBAA and interested Rhode Island aviation groups, the new Regulation clarifies many of
the uncertainties created by the issuance of the previous Emergency Regulation. The new Regulation
makes it clear that the Rhode Island use tax applies only to noncommercial aircraft exceeding
specified operating limits within the State of Rhode Island. The revised Regulation also makes
it clear that it applies only to "residents" of Rhode Island. Thus, nonresidents
of Rhode Island should feel free to operate their aircraft within the State. However, companies
or individuals with "significant contacts" with or "significant operations"
in Rhode Island should continue to exercise caution in their operations and are advised to
consult with their tax advisers to determine if they could be considered residents. The new
Regulation is effective December 11, 2004. For the full text and a more complete analysis
of the Regulation, visit:
http://web.nbaa.org/member/ops/taxes/state/ri
NEW YORK STATE TAX UPDATE
The state of New York is considering the removal of its sales tax on parts and services for
all aircraft having maintenance performed within state borders. NBAA and the New York Aviation
Management Association strongly support and are encouraging the passage of this tax bill.
For more information, contact NBAA's Dean Saucier at dsaucier@nbaa.org.
BUSINESS AVIATION REGIONAL FORUMS
NOW ACCEPTING PRESENTATION PROPOSALS
A limited number of speaking opportunities are available for the 2004 NBAA Regional Business
Aviation Forums. Presentations should be timely, current and of general interest to the business
aviation community. NBAA also is accepting proposals for maintenance training sessions that
will run concurrently to the general sessions at each Forum. More information and an application/call
for entry can be found online at:
http://www.nbaa.org/cs/forums
GOING
THEIR WAY? GIVE A CANCER PATIENT A LIFT
Do your corporate jets ever fly an empty leg? Do your planes ever take off with a seat or
seats to spare? How about volunteering those seats to cancer patients traveling to or from
treatment centers, if you happen to be going their way? Five hundred top corporations have
already answered "Yes!" to these questions. They became participants in Corporate
Angel Network (CAN), and you can too. CAN makes it easy. Using a proprietary and secure computer
program, CAN volunteers match flights to patient requests, do all the paperwork and make all
the arrangements. Call (914) 328-1313 for more information. For a current list of patient
"rides needed," please visit:
http://www.corpangelnetwork.org/corporate/seats.html
