NBAA Update Archive

NBAA Update #05-19
Monday, May 09, 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

Bolen Challenges Misperceptions About General Aviation, Outlines Industry Contributions to FAA Trust Fund
In testimony before a House Aviation Subcommittee hearing held on May 4 to assess the financial condition of the Aviation Trust Fund, NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen detailed how general aviation pays to use the system, challenged misperceptions about the general aviation industry and called for effective solutions to strengthen the national aviation infrastructure. In recent weeks, some government and aviation industry officials have contended that the FAA is faced with declining trust fund balances, a reduced general fund contribution and increasing operational costs. These claims have prompted questions about how FAA services are funded, and whether changes to the funding mechanism – including user fees for general aviation – are needed. For more information, or to review testimony and photos, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/news/photos/20050504

NBAA Applauds Nomination of Hawley as Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for the TSA
NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen today commended President Bush for announcing his intention to nominate Edmund S. "Kip" Hawley as Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), replacing Admiral David M. Stone, who is scheduled to step down from the TSA in June. The White House announced Hawley's nomination late last week. To review Bolen's comments, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/news/pr/2005/20050509-027.php

NBAA Welcomes Congressional Endorsement of TSAAC
On May 6, NBAA welcomed report language included in a Congressional spending bill encouraging the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to continue moving forward on development of the TSA Access Certificate (TSAAC), a voluntary general aviation security program. For more information, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/news/pr/2005/20050506-026.php

NBAA Hails Latest Action by U.S. House Directing DHS to Reopen DCA to General Aviation
NBAA on May 4 applauded a move by Congress to direct the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to reopen Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to general aviation within 90 days of enactment of the DHS appropriations legislation for fiscal year 2006. "NBAA thanks the members of the House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, who have demonstrated by their actions today an understanding that the prolonged closure of DCA to general aviation has taken a national and regional economic toll," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. For more information, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/news/pr/2005/20050504-025.php

NBAA Assails Claims Made About General Aviation in New Reason Foundation Report
NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen sent a letter on May 3 to Reason Foundation President Robert W. Poole to point out several inaccurate, incomplete or misleading claims made in a report released by the Reason Foundation on May 4. Bolen's letter notes that the report, titled "Resolving the Crisis in Air Traffic Control Funding," inaccurately describes general aviation operations and makes arguments that do not support the report's conclusions. The report, which calls for user fees as a means of revenue generation for the FAA, comes as the debate over user fees is ramping up in Washington. To review copies of Bolen's letter and the report in PDF format, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/news/letters/reasonfound200505

Bolen Responds to USA Today Article on Business Aircraft Use
In addition to the statement NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen issued on April 29 challenging the April 26 USA Today story about use of business aircraft, he also submitted a letter to the newspaper, which was published in the May 5 edition. Review the letter online at:
http://www.nbaa.org/news/letters/USAToday20050505.php

Change in Documentation Requirements for Crew Members Entering Mexico
On May 1, a new Mexican Immigration requirement went into effect requiring crew members to present a passport for entry into Mexico. In addition, crew members may be asked to show their pilot certificate and fill out an immigration survey form. Passengers should only be required to provide "proof of citizenship." For more information, operators should contact their flight planning service providers or NBAA's Berty Damato at bdamato@nbaa.org. The original announcement from Mexican Immigration and an unofficial English translation are available as PDF downloads online at:
http://www.nbaa.org/ops/intl

Record-Setting Attendance Expected at EBACE2005 Next Week
More than 7,000 people are expected to attend the 5th Annual European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE2005), which will be held May 18 to 20 in Geneva. Nearly 300 vendor-sponsored exhibits will be shown at Geneva Palexpo and more than 40 state-of-the-art business aircraft will be on display at nearby Geneva International Airport. Last year, a record 6,487 Attendees viewed the products and services of 247 Exhibitors, and 36 static aircraft were on display. View an EBACE2005 presentation online at http://marketing.nbaa.org/ebace2005/postcard1/viewflash.htm. For more information or to register, visit:
http://www.ebace.aero

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Regional News

Nighttime ATC Service Resumes at Fulton County-Brown Field Tower
After a decision that ended nighttime tower air traffic control services on January 1 at Georgia's Fulton County-Brown Field (FTY), the Georgia Business Aviation Association and local NBAA Members have worked to restore nighttime tower coverage at the airport. Last week the Fulton County Commission approved the resumption of services at Fulton County Airport effective May 15, which will provide for a manned tower for 20 hours per day, from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. Monday through Friday, and from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. on Sunday. For more information, contact NBAA's Harry Houckes at hhouckes@nbaa.org.

Runway Closure for California's Ontario International
Runway 26R/8L at California's Ontario International Airport (ONT) closed on May 7. The project involves reconstruction of the runway's westerly 10,200 feet and includes the removal and replacement of existing asphalt pavement, signage, runway lights, storm drains, service roads, electrical vault, markings and taxiway intersections. Runway 26R/8L is scheduled to reopen on March 11, 2006. For more information, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/ops/airspace/ont20050509.php

Avoid Travel Delays in Richmond Area This Week
The Richmond, VA, area likely will experience air traffic and congestion during this week's NASCAR Nextel Cup race at Richmond Raceway, especially Thursday, May 12 and Sunday, May 17. A special traffic management program (STMP) is in effect for Richmond International (RIC), Chesterfield (FCI) and Hanover County (OFP). Operators should consult the FAA web site for NOTAM and STMP details. For more information, contact NBAA's Dean Saucier at dsaucier@nbaa.org.

Georgia Business Aviation Association Golf Tournament
The Georgia Business Aviation Association (GBAA) will hold its 6th annual golf tournament and general membership meeting at Chateau Elan Golf Resort & Spa in Braselton, GA, beginning at 10:00 a.m. this Friday, May 13. Bob Hoover will be the featured speaker at dinner immediately following the tournament. For more information visit the GBAA web site at http://www.gbaa.org or contact NBAA's Harry Houckes at hhouckes@nbaa.org.

Nebraska Business Aviation Association Static Display and Golf Tournament
The Nebraska Business Aviation Association (NeBAA) will host an aircraft static display on May 16 at the Elliott Aviation facility on Eppley Field in Omaha, NE. The static display will begin at 10:00 a.m. and run through 5:00 p.m. In conjunction with the static display, NeBAA will host its fifth annual golf tournament on May 17 at the Players Club at Deer Creek in Omaha. Pre-registration will begin at 7:00 a.m. followed by a shotgun start at 8:00 a.m. Proceeds from the static display and golf tournament will benefit the NeBAA Scholarship Fund, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and NeBAA, a non-profit organization. For details about the static display, contact John Mansfield at jmansfield@elliottaviation.com. For golf tournament details, contact Patrick O'Neil at poneil@werner.com. For additional information, contact NBAA's Paul H. Smith at psmith@nbaa.org.

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NBAA News

Bolen Editorial on Safety Appears in NBAA Journal of Business Aviation Safety
"In the many years I've worked in the business aviation industry, one priority has continually bound all others together: safety," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. "Time and again, business aircraft operators have shown me that their safety practices, and continued focus on adhering to strict protocols, set the standard for others to follow." Bolen recently addressed the topic of safety, as well as the new training guidelines NBAA has produced to support the safe operation of emerging very light jets (VLJs), in an editorial for the 2005 NBAA Journal of Business Aviation Safety, which recently mailed to the Membership. NBAA Members may review the article online at:
http://web.nbaa.org/member/ops/safety/basj/2005/20/editorial.php

Travel$ense 3.74 Update Released
On May 7, NBAA released version 3.74 of its business travel productivity-tracking software, Travel$ense. This update adapts to changes in the reservation system used by Travel$ense that prevented users from obtaining comparable airline flights and fare data. Travel$ense is a tool to help management better analyze and understand business travel by automatically calculating the actual business hours, productivity, trip expenses and family time saved by traveling via business aircraft versus airline alternatives. For more information, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/ops/adm/travelsense/update

More Than 140 to Attend Federal Tax Forum This Friday
More than 140 attorneys, tax professionals and flight department personnel already have registered for the NBAA Federal Tax Forum to be held this Friday, May 13 in Boston. After providing an overview of Federal Aviation Regulations that bear on tax planning, 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, personal use of business aircraft and passive activity losses. Learn more or register at:
http://www.nbaa.org/cs/fedtax/20050513

Request for Proposals: 2006 Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference Presenters
The NBAA Schedulers & Dispatchers Committee currently is planning the program agenda for the NBAA 17th Annual Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference, to be held January 25 through 27, 2006, in San Antonio, TX. The Committee requests presenters for this event, which is expected to draw more than 1,500 Attendees. Presentations are selected based on their quality and their benefit to business aviation schedulers and dispatchers. All proposals must be submitted to NBAA by July 1. For more information, contact NBAA's Jo Damato at jdamato@nbaa.org.
http://www.nbaa.org/rfp

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