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NBAA Update #04-17
Monday, April 26, 2004

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.

SECURITY CONCERNS STILL HIGHLIGHTED INSIDE WASHINGTON
Recent discussions with Bush Administration officials reveal a consensus that a terrorist attack of unknown type is probable in the United States prior to the November election. Such an attack is overdue, terrorist experts believe, but most assume that the U.S. political calendar creates an urgency for Al Qaeda or its agents to influence the election via an event similar to that recently experienced in Spain. Although the use of general aviation aircraft for this purpose is possible, other methods appear to be more "attractive" to terrorists. Nevertheless, NBAA Members are advised to remain alert at all times, report all suspicious activity, and follow NBAA's Best Practices for Business Aviation Security, published online at http://www.nbaa.org/ops/security/bestpractices. For more information, contact NBAA's new Director, Security Richard Doubrava at rdoubrava@nbaa.org.

NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR TSA INTERNATIONAL FLEET WAIVERS
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has issued new application guidance for Part 91 operators seeking a TSA Fleet Waiver to FDC NOTAM 2/5319. Applicants must complete a minimum of three single trip waiver flights without incident to be eligible for a TSA Fleet Waiver. Additionally, operators must show a cumulative average of three international flights a month to qualify for a TSA Fleet Waiver. This new guidance, as well as updated contact information, is available on the NBAA web site at:
http://www.nbaa.org/ops/security/waivers

PHOTOS FROM RECORD-BREAKING LABACE NOW ONLINE
The 2nd Annual Latin American Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (LABACE2004), held April 15 to 17, surpassed even the most optimistic projections of both organizers and Exhibitors, registering 3,735 people, a 30 percent increase over last year. The event featured 92 Exhibitors at the Transamérica Expo Center and 19 aircraft on Static Display on Congonhas Airport. NBAA Senior Vice President, Operations Robert P. Blouin noted that "NBAA Members, along with companies involved in the industry worldwide, greatly benefit from having LABACE in Brazil because the country has become an important destination for global companies in all sectors." Photos from the event, as well as a presentation from the Opening General Session, now are available online at http://www.labace.aero. For more information, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/news/pr/2004/20040426-027.php

FAA PROVIDES NBAA WITH JOB AIDS FOR OPSPEC AND MSPEC APPROVALS
Some NBAA Members have reported that certain FSDOs have not approved eligible on-demand operations (as per the new FAR Part 135.4) because no final guidance is available from FAA headquarters. FAA headquarters since has provided NBAA with JobAids containing a sample of the OpSpec paragraphs that are in the automated OPSS. Charter operators may download these JobAids (Eligible On Demand Operations/Destination Airport Analysis Programs) from NBAA's web site and then provide this information to their FSDOs. Charter operators should refer any FSDO questions to the FAA's Part 135 National Resource Specialist Kathy Perfetti at (202) 267-8166. This information eventually will be published in FAA Inspector Handbook 8400.10. Fractional program managers also may use the Destination Airport Analysis Program JobAid for management specification (MSpec) approval in accordance with FARs 91.1053 and 91.1055. Download the JobAids at:
http://www.nbaa.org/ops

OPERATORS ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE IN NAT SATCOM TEST PROGRAM
On April 12 the North Atlantic Systems Planning Group (NATSPG) of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) initiated an operational test of the routine use of satellite communications (SATCOM) for waypoint position reporting (WPR). The test program, currently limited to general aviation operators, is open-ended with an initial evaluation to be conducted after 30 days. NBAA Members operating in the NAT Region equipped with satellite communications capability are encouraged to participate in the test to help validate the benefits of SATCOM in the oceanic environment. To participate, e-mail a completed registration form to Dave Stohr, IBAC member of the Implementation Management Group of the NATSPG and president of ATI, at davidstohr@sprintmail.com. Download the registration form in Word format from the NBAA web site at:
http://www.nbaa.org/ops/cns/satcom/WPR_Test.doc

NACO TERMINAL PROCEDURES PUBLICATION NOW AVAILABLE DIGITALLY
The FAA's National Aeronautical Charting Office (NACO) now offers the Digital Terminal Procedures Publication (d-TPP), an electronic version of the terminal procedures printed in the 25-volume U.S. Terminal Procedures Publication (TPP) and the Pacific Chart Supplement (PAC). The d-TPP is available online in PDF format and includes searching, viewing, printing and downloading of all civilian and military (excluding military HIGH) U.S. terminal procedures. The d-TPP coverage area includes the United States (including Alaska and Hawaii), Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands and Pacific Territories and is updated every 28 days. For more information or to download d-TPP files, visit the NACO web site and click on "Online Products" in the left margin:
http://naco.faa.gov

GARY/CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT MASTER PLAN HEARING SET FOR MAY 25
On May 25, the FAA plans to conduct a public workshop and hearing regarding development of Gary/Chicago International Airport (GYY). The meeting will take place at the airport's terminal building between 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. The airport's draft environmental impact statement and master plan are to be discussed, including a proposal to enhance and extend the runway safety area for the field's primary runway, 7,000-foot-long Runway 12-30. Those unable to attend the meeting can submit comments to the FAA through June 11. For more information or copies of the draft environmental statement contact the airport at (219) 949-9722. For more information about Midwest business aviation issues in general, contact NBAA's John Balsiger at jbalsiger@nbaa.org.

DOUGLAS CARR NAMED NBAA CORPORATE SECRETARY
The NBAA Board of Directors has named Douglas Carr its corporate secretary. Carr also will continue to serve the Association as its director, government affairs, a position he has held since 2001. For more information, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/news/pr/2004/20040426-028.php

EBACE2004 CONNECTS EUROPEAN BUSINESS AVIATION WITH THE WORLD
EBACE2004, the only European exhibition to focus exclusively on business aviation, will be held May 25 to 27 in Geneva, Switzerland. This one-of-a-kind event will feature more than 700 vendor-sponsored exhibits inside Geneva Palexpo Hall 7, approximately 35 aircraft on Static Display at Geneva International Airport, and Informational Sessions where Delegates can speak directly to regulatory officials and exchange information on relevant topics for safe, secure and efficient operations. For more information or to register, visit:
http://www.ebace.aero

FEDERAL AVIATION TAX FORUM TO FOCUS ON AIRCRAFT OWNERSHIP/OPERATIONS
NBAA will hold a Federal Aviation Tax Forum titled "Federal Tax Issues Surrounding Aircraft Ownership & Operations" on Friday, May 7 in Arlington, VA. This intermediate-to-advanced-level NBAA Seminar will review the critical issues that flight departments need to know in order to meet their customers' needs, including the FAA regulatory environment, aircraft depreciation, heavy maintenance, like-kind exchanges, IRS audit initiatives, Federal excise taxes, non-business use of corporate aircraft and passive activity loss limitations. This event is designed for attorneys, tax professionals and those flight department staff members with base-knowledge in aviation tax issues. For more information or to register, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/cs/fedtax/20040507

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