NBAA Update Archive

NBAA Update #05-16
Monday, April 18, 2005

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. Send address changes to membership@nbaa.org.

Business Aviation News & Issues

Ed Bolen to Join Other Aviation Industry Experts at U.S. Chamber Event
NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen will join U.S. airline executives, academic experts and officials with various industry advocacy organizations at an event this Thursday, April 21 held by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to discuss the challenges facing the U.S. aviation system. Bolen will moderate a panel focusing on short- and long-term solutions for ensuring that the national aviation system is equipped to serve a 21st Century aviation industry. Bolen brings to the panel his experience as chairman of the Federal Aviation Management Advisory Council and as a member of the Commission on the Future of the U.S. Aerospace Industry. Bolen's panel will include representatives from the FAA's Joint Planning and Development Office, Boeing Company, NASA and World Airways, Inc. To learn more, contact NBAA's Lisa Piccione at lpiccione@nbaa.org.

Bolen to Participate in FAA Funding Forum Next Week
Ed Bolen will represent the business aviation community in an upcoming forum to consider changes to the funding mechanism for the FAA. In recent weeks, FAA Administrator Marion Blakey has maintained that the Agency is faced with declining trust fund balances, a reduced general fund contribution and increasing operational costs. These claims indicate a willingness for renewed consideration of general aviation user fees to address revenue shortfalls. Next week's forum is jointly coordinated by the FAA and the Department of Transportation. Bolen will address concerns raised about funding for the FAA and question whether consideration of user fees for general aviation is justified. Bolen's appearance in the forum is part of NBAA's ongoing work to represent business aviation on the matter of funding changes for the FAA. To learn more about NBAA's continuing efforts, contact NBAA's Lisa Piccione at lpiccione@nbaa.org.

NBAA Regional Forum Visits New York Area This Thursday
NBAA's next Business Aviation Regional Forum will be held this Thursday, April 21 at Republic Airport (FRG) in Farmingdale, NY. This day-long learning and networking experience is expected to draw hundreds of Attendees from the greater New York area for informational sessions on a variety of topics, including very light jets (VLJs), supplemental lift options, legal and regulatory issues, and aircraft resale issues. This event represents the fourth NBAA Regional Forum in a row to sell out of exhibit space, with 80 Exhibitors and 20 static aircraft on display. Online registration will be available until 12:00 noon on Wednesday, April 20, after which time individuals may register on site at the airport. For more information or to register online, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/cs/forums/20050421

NBAA Submits Comments to Proposed Changes to Part 375
On April 8, NBAA submitted its comments to a proposed rule that would change Department of Transportation rule, Part 375. The proposed change would allow U.S. companies that do not meet the qualifications for U.S. citizenship for aviation purposes to take advantage of operating flexibility allowed under Part 91, Subpart F of the FAA's regulations. NBAA led the effort to change Part 375 and supports the Department's proposal. For more information, contact NBAA's Douglas Carr at dcarr@nbaa.org. View a copy of NBAA's official comments at:
http://www.nbaa.org/taxes

New Visual Warning System for DC ADIZ to Become Operational in May
As announced in FDC NOTAM 5/3004, the National Capital Region visual warning system (VWS) will become operational on May 21. The VWS is a ground-based system that uses low-level beams of alternating red and green lights designed to alert pilots that they have violated the Washington, DC air defense identification zone (ADIZ) or flight restricted zone (FRZ). Pilots who are seeing this signal should immediately contact ATC on an appropriate local frequency or 121.5/243.0 and exit the ADIZ airspace. This system is only being implemented in the Washington, DC area; pilots who observe laser activity elsewhere should follow the procedures outlined in FAA Advisory Circular 70-2, Reporting of Laser Illumination of Aircraft. For more information, contact the NBAA Operations Service Group at info@nbaa.org or visit the NBAA web site at:
http://www.nbaa.org/vws

FAA Requests Feedback on Turbulence Information
The FAA's Aviation Weather Research Program Turbulence Product Development Team invites feedback from the business aviation community about its needs and priorities for turbulence information. This effort is an attempt to better understand the needs and priorities of business aviation for improved information on turbulence. NBAA Members are asked to answer the following questions: "How does improving turbulence information compare to other weather needs for improved information? What are the specific turbulence issues that most need attention?" Send comments directly to Bruce Carmichael of the National Center for Atmospheric Research at brucec@ucar.edu. Direct questions to NBAA's Bob Lamond at rlamond@nbaa.org.

EBACE2005, Where Europe's Business Aviation Community Meets
The European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) is the annual meeting place for the European business aviation community, including business leaders, government officials, manufacturers, corporate aviation department personnel and others involved in nearly all aspects of business aviation. This year's exhibition, the fifth of its kind, will open one month from today in Geneva. The three-day event will showcase nearly 250 exhibiting companies from around the world and cover more than 16,000 square meters at Geneva Palexpo. At nearby Geneva International Airport, more than 30 aircraft, including nearly every major business aircraft design in current production, will be on display. Learn more about this premier event at:
http://www.ebace.aero/welcome/ebace.php

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Regional News

TFRs for Upcoming VIP Travel
A temporary flight restriction (TFR) has been issued for Springfield, IL, on April 19. Additional TFRs can be expected for the following areas: Oklahoma City, OK, on April 19; Townsend, TN, on April 22; and Crawford, TX, from April 22 to 25. Since 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. For more information, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/airspace/restrictions

Delays Alleviated for FLL Annual Sea and Air Show
The 11th Annual Fort Lauderdale (FLL) Sea and Air Show is being held April 28 through May 1. Show aircraft are being staged out of Opa Locka (OPF) this year rather than FLL, which will greatly reduce lengthy delays experienced in past years. However, aircraft requiring use of another runway at FLL besides R13 during show times can expect 15- to 45-minute delays. Also, aircraft coming out of the Caribbean to FLL/FXE during the show weekend will be required to reroute from DEKAL to MRLIN due to the TFR and staging area. A TFR and NOTAM will be published on or about April 22. For further information, contact NBAA's Sue Ashley at sashley@nbaa.org or the NBAA GA Desk at gadesk@nbaa.org.

Avoid Travel Delays in Phoenix Area This Week
The NASCAR Nextel Series race is headed west this weekend. Operators should anticipate congestion and delays in the Phoenix, AZ vicinity. The following airports are expected to be affected, particularly on Thursday April 21 and the afternoon of Sunday, April 24: Phoenix-Goodyear (GYR), Glendale (GEU) and Sky Harbor International (PHX). For more information, contact NBAA's Dean Saucier at dsaucier@nbaa.org.

Aviation Professionals Meet This Wednesday at Teterboro
Aviation Professionals Sharing Ideas (APSI) will hold its Spring Luncheon meeting from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. at the Dassault Falcon Jet Facility on Teterboro Airport (TEB) this Wednesday, April 20. The featured speaker will be NBAA Manager, Tax & Finance Mike Nichols, who will make a presentation on personal use of business aircraft. For more information, contact NBAA's Dean Saucier at dsaucier@nbaa.org.

South Florida Business Aviation Association to Meet Next Monday
The South Florida Business Aviation Association (SFBAA) will hold its quarterly meeting next Monday, April 25 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at ExxonMobil Avitat, 3300 Airport Rd., Boca Raton, FL. A Gulfstream demonstrator will be on static display, and lunch sponsored by Gulfstream Aerospace will be served at this event. All SFBAA members are requested to attend to participate in elections for new board members and association officers, which will be held during the meeting. Non-members also are welcome to attend. RSVP for this event with SFBAA's Don Roller at Don.Roller@ins-lua.com. For more information, contact NBAA's Harry Houckes at hhouckes@nbaa.org.

New England-Area Safety and Risk Management Workshop on May 13
The Windsor Locks Flight Standards District Office will present a System Safety and Risk Management Workshop for corporate, business and air carrier operators from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday, May 13 at the New England Air Museum. This regional endeavor will provide valuable information on attaining new levels of aviation safety for both maintenance and operations. Joe Souza, an instructor from the FAA's System Safety Course at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, will make the presentation. Business aviation community members in the New England area are encouraged to assess their safety programs by attending this event. For more information, contact NBAA's Dean Saucier at dsaucier@nbaa.org.

Northeast-Based Groups Gather to Address Common Issues
At a recent meeting of the Greater Metro Business Aviation Council, which comprises regional groups based in the Northeast, attendees discussed the successes their individual groups have had with regulatory agencies, legislators and the press. Group representatives also agreed that addressing issues immediately before they reach a crisis level is of prime importance. Participating organizations included the Connecticut Business Aviation Group, Morristown (NJ) Aviation Association, Rhode Island Aviation Association, New York Aviation Management Association, Long Island Business Aviation Association, Massachusetts Business Aviation Association, Northeast Schedulers & Dispatchers Group and Eastern Region Helicopter Council. For details about this event, contact NBAA's Dean Saucier at dsaucier@nbaa.org.

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NBAA News

50th Annual Corporate Aviation Safety Seminar Starts in Two Weeks
The 50th Annual Corporate Aviation Safety Seminar (CASS), co- sponsored by Flight Safety Foundation and NBAA, will be held next week from Tuesday, April 26 to Thursday, April 28 in Orlando, FL. This event, the premier forum for the discussion and exchange of safety information for business aviation operators, delivers specific information that can be applied directly to business aviation operations. Topics to be covered will include human factors, proactive cabin safety, risk management for the very light jet (VLJ), airborne collision avoidance systems and maintenance. CASS will be held in conjunction with an NBAA Emergency Response Planning Workshop on April 25 and 26 and an NBAA Aviation Insurance & Financial Risk Management Seminar on April 26 (both require separate registration fees). To learn more or register for any of these events, visit:
http://www.flightsafety.org/seminars.html#cass

NBAA Schedules Industry Briefing on Federal Excise Taxes
NBAA's Tax Committee has scheduled an industry briefing for Thursday, May 12 in Boston, MA, to discuss IRS excise tax audits of fractional program and private aircraft management. Several fractional programs and management companies are undergoing IRS audits, ending with different results than expected based on past guidance. Various IRS court cases, private letter rulings and technical advice memoranda have created confusion. Participation is limited and impacted companies must complete a survey prior to attending the briefing. The survey results and government guidance will be reviewed at this meeting. The May 12 briefing will be held in conjunction with an NBAA Federal Tax Forum on May 13, described below. For more information about the May 12 briefing, contact NBAA's Mike Nichols at mnichols@nbaa.org.

Forum Gives Overview of Federal Tax, Securities, Aviation Regulations
Attorneys, tax professionals and flight department staff are invited to participate in an NBAA Federal Tax Forum in Boston on Friday, May 13. After providing an overview of Federal Aviation Regulations that bear on tax planning (including incongruities between IRS and FAA requirements), this one-day seminar will cover topics such as tax depreciation, expensing heavy maintenance for tax purposes, avoiding recapture/capital gains through a like-kind exchange, IRS audit initiatives focusing on aircraft, Federal aviation excise taxes, passive activity losses and the fringe benefit issues associated with personal use of a corporate aircraft. Furthermore, an introduction to the state and Federal "streamlined sales tax project" initiative and a Federal aviation tax regulatory update will be presented. Learn more or register at:
http://www.nbaa.org/cs/fedtax/20050513

Flight Ops Manuals and Management Fundamentals the Focus of Two June Workshops
NBAA is offering two Professional Development Program-approved Workshops this June in San Francisco. The NBAA Flight Operations Manual Workshop on June 20 and 21 uses the new International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) as the basis for providing participants with all materials needed to develop or update an excellent flight operations manual, custom tailored to your operations. And whether you are just moving into the management ranks or have been there awhile, the NBAA Management Fundamentals for Flight Departments Workshop on June 22 and 23 will offer you new ways of achieving excellence. Practical, proven techniques are presented and discussed to make your flight department more effective and efficient. To learn more or register for either event, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/events

Flight Attendants Conference Details Now Online
The NBAA 10th Annual Flight Attendants Conference will be held June 17 and 18 at the Hilton Atlanta Airport in Atlanta, GA. Details for this event are now online at:
http://www.nbaa.org/cs/fltatt/2005

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