NBAA Update Archive

NBAA Update #05-26
Monday, June 27, 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

NBAA Encourages Members to Contact Congress on Important Business Aviation Issues; Two New Letters Available
NBAA's "Contact Congress" resource now has two new letters available for Members to send to Congress to ensure that the voice of the business aviation community is heard in Washington. Members can send a letter telling their federal representatives to oppose user fees for general aviation. Members also can send a letter to Congress opposing transportation legislation that has language altering procedures for payment of federal taxes on jet fuel and limiting deductibility of certain expenses related to business aircraft. For Members who are not inclined to write Congress about specific issues, a third letter is available for Members simply to introduce themselves to their federal representatives. NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen encourages Members to contact their members of Congress as soon as possible. "I urge all NBAA Members to take advantage of this effective resource and become a part our advocacy effort," Bolen said. "NBAA's Contact Congress resource is easy to use and the process requires just a few minutes." To contact your representatives, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/action

Aviation and Business Leaders Welcome Return of Business Aviation to DCA
On June 23, aviation and business leaders gathered at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to welcome the restoration of business aviation to the airport. The event, titled "Celebrate General Aviation," was chaired by Sen. George Allen (R-VA), and co-hosted by the Washington Airports Task Force, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, NBAA and Signature Flight Support. "Today's event recognizes a significant step forward for business aviation at Reagan National Airport," NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen said. On June 20, Bolen sent a letter to NBAA Members about the plan from the Transportation Security Administration for reopening DCA to general aviation. Review related photo and Bolen's letter online at:
http://www.nbaa.org/news/photos/20050623

Senate Commerce Committee Approves Hawley Nomination to TSA
On June 23, the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee approved the nomination of Edmund S. "Kip" Hawley to the position of assistant secretary of homeland security. Hawley's nomination will now be considered by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs before going to the full Senate for a vote on his confirmation. NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen has repeatedly noted his support for Hawley's nomination, most recently in a June 16 letter from Bolen to Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK), chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee. For more information, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/news/pr/2005/20050616-036.php

NBAA Tax Committee Meets With Federal Regulators
Staff from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Department of Transportation (DOT) and FAA met with members of NBAA's staff and Tax Committee on Friday, June 24 in Washington, DC. Discussions focused on high-priority issues of importance to NBAA's Membership. With the IRS, discussions focused on Notice 2005-45 on deduction limitations for entertainment use of corporate aircraft, as the authors of the notice were in attendance. With the DOT and FAA, topics under discussion included ongoing issues related to air charter brokers and managed charter (i.e., piggybacking). NBAA learned that additional guidance from the DOT on air charter brokers is expected later this year. For more information, contact NBAA's Mike Nichols at mnichols@nbaa.org.

NBAA's Steve Brown to Keynote San Jose Regional Forum
The next NBAA Business Aviation Regional Forum comes to San Jose, CA, on Thursday, July 7 at the San Jose Jet Center at Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC). NBAA Senior Vice President, Operations Steve Brown is scheduled to speak during the opening session with a focus on business aviation today. Other sessions during the day-long learning and networking event will focus on safety, regional and operational issues, management tools, electronic technologies and an industry update. The San Jose Regional Forum will feature approximately 35 static aircraft, more than 50 exhibits and hundreds of Attendees. For more information, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/cs/forums/20050707

Airborne Internet Survey Now Online
Emerging technologies are enabling the relatively low-cost transmission of large amounts of data important to pilots and passengers operating within the National Airspace System (NAS). To understand how these communications technologies could be used to enhance safety, improve operational efficiencies, lower overall system costs and increase passenger productivity and pleasure while traveling, researchers at the FAA Technical Center are conducting a survey. Members of the business aviation community are invited to read a brief description of what is being called "Airborne Internet," which is shorthand for datalink technology and information handling that could significantly benefit all NAS users, and take a 15-minute survey. Responses will be aggregated so that no responder will be identified. Only collective results will be presented in reports related to this study. For more information, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/aisurvey

NBAA Members Receive Discount for 2004 Accident Review
The 2004 Annual Business Turbine Aircraft Accident Review published by Robert E. Breiling Associates, Inc., an annual guide to aviation safety, is now available to NBAA Members at a 20-percent discount. This analysis helps identify operational, maintenance and mechanical-related problems with each aircraft; acquaint pilots with accident causal factors; compare accident rates of each aircraft and operator type; and prove to company management that corporate aviation continues to maintain the highest degree of safety in aviation. Two reviews are offered – one contains all accidents and incidents involving business jets, turboprops and turbine helicopters for $265, and the other contains only jet and turboprop sections for $225. To order, contact Robert E. Breiling Associates, Inc. at (561) 338-6900 or rbreiling@bigplanet.com, or visit:
http://www.breilinginc.com

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Regional News

NBAA Continues Work to Represent Business Aviation at Teterboro
In light of recent calls from public officials in the Morristown, NJ, area for significant reductions in aircraft traffic at Teterboro Airport (TEB), NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen last week submitted an opinion piece for publication in two local newspapers to bring clarity and reason to the debate about safety at TEB. Bolen's piece, which was submitted to the Bergen Record and Newark Star-Ledger, states: "There is no question that the incidents at Teterboro serve as a reminder that safety must remain the highest priority at the airport. But reducing aircraft operations at Teterboro is not the appropriate solution." Bolen's opinion piece is just one aspect of NBAA's ongoing effort to represent the business aviation community at TEB. NBAA has worked on TEB policy with current and former public officials, including former Acting FAA Administrator Joseph Del Balzo, whose own opinion piece on TEB safety recently appeared in the Bergen Record. Bolen and other NBAA officials continue to meet with representatives from the FAA and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey on TEB safety, and NBAA Northeast Regional Representative Dean Saucier recently attended a local public hearing on the issue. To learn more about NBAA's work to advocate for the business aviation community at TEB, contact NBAA's Jeff Gilley at jgilley@nbaa.org. Review Del Balzo's opinion piece at:
http://www.nbaa.org/ops/airports/teb/delbalzo20050619.php

NBAA Welcomes FAA's Conditional Acceptance of New SMO Proposal for Resolving Landing Fee Dispute
NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen today welcomed a recent decision by the FAA to conditionally accept a new landing-fee proposal for Santa Monica Airport (SMO), removing a previous proposal that was rejected by the FAA last January on the grounds that it unjustly discriminated against certain types of aircraft. "We welcome the FAA's decision to conditionally accept the revised proposal submitted by Santa Monica City officials, and we are pleased that the city has been willing to pursue an approach for removing the current landing-fee policy in a way that is workable for the airport, the business aircraft operators who use the facility, and the surrounding community," Bolen said. To view a release from NBAA on the issue, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/news/pr/2005/20050627-038.php

TFRs for Upcoming VIP Travel
A TFR has been issued for Fort Bragg, NC area on June 28 that will affect operations at Fayetteville Regional Airport (FAY). 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

Navy Proposes Expansion of Special Use Airspace in Central California
The FAA has published a notice regarding the U.S. Navy's proposal to expand Navy LeMoore's Military Operations Area and Air Traffic Control Assigned Airspace in central California. The FAA is tasked to determine the effects upon the safe and efficient use of navigable airspace by aircraft as a result of the Navy proposal. NBAA has closely followed the Navy's development of this airspace proposal for over a year and has participated with other NAS customers to provide feedback to the FAA about the negative impact this airspace proposal will have on the business aviation community if approved. NBAA, which will be submitting its objections to the proposal, encourages all Members who transit central California airspace to carefully examine the proposal and submit comments to the FAA on the impact the airspace proposal will have on their individual operations. To review the notice or for more information on submitting comments, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/ops/airspace/lemoore

Customs to Extend Hours at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport
Starting today, Customs and Border Protection will extend its operating hours at Florida's Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE) so that service is available seven days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. The longer hours will be on a trial basis for the next four months. The previous closing time was 5:00 p.m. This action has been lobbied for by NBAA and other users of FXE and Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (FLL) in order mitigate the several dozen flights a day that currently divert to FLL to clear customs. For more information, contact NBAA's Bob Lamond at rlamond@nbaa.org or Harry Houckes at hhouckes@nbaa.org.

Resolution of Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood Runway Issue Expected Soon
In addition to taking action at FXE on behalf of Members, NBAA also has been involved in the ongoing issue of runway usage at Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (FLL), which currently operates well below its true arrival and departure rates due to artificially imposed constraints by the local community. The current policy of using only one runway at FLL has seriously conflicted with the airport authorities' advertised desire to increase volume at the airport. The runway issue is being addressed at senior levels of the FAA and a resolution is expected in days. NBAA will continue to stay actively engaged in the FLL congestion issue through monthly customer meetings at FLL and other venues as appropriate. For more information, contact NBAA's Bob Lamond at rlamond@nbaa.org or Harry Houckes at hhouckes@nbaa.org.

Northeast Ohio Organizational Meeting to Be Held in Cleveland This Thursday
The Northeast Ohio Business Aviation Association will hold its first organizational meeting and complimentary luncheon this Thursday, June 30 at the main terminal at Cleveland's Burke Lakefront Airport (BKL). The association is being formed to promote business aviation at BKL and airports in northern Ohio. Attendees can park at the terminal or at the Million Air hangar through Gate 5 and be shuttled to the terminal. The event will begin at 12:00 noon. For more information, contact Million Air's Stephanie Jones at (216) 861-2030 or NBAA's Durwood Heinrich at dheinrich@nbaa.org.

Michigan Business Aviation Association Golf Classic Is Jul. 25
The Michigan Business Aviation Association (MBAA) invites all NBAA Members to its annual MBAA Alice Gustafson Memorial Golf Classic on Monday, July 25. The event will be held at the Lyon Oaks Golf & Banquet Center in Wixom, MI, and tee time is at 10:00 a.m. Revenues from the event help to support aviation scholarships to promote tomorrow's aviation leaders. Those interested should register by Friday, July 15. For more information, visit the new MBAA web site at http://mibaa.org or contact Cindy Schnetzler at schnetzler.c@gcsionoline.com or NBAA's Durwood Heinrich at dheinrich@nbaa.org.

Chicago-Area's CABAA Charity Golf Classic to Be Held Aug. 25
The Chicago Area Business Aviation Association (CABAA) will host its 2005 Charity Golf Classic at Prairie Landing Golf Club, West Chicago, IL, on August 25. CABAA also will fund two $2,500 scholarships for aviation students at Lewis University in Romeoville, IL. Now in its seventh year, the charity event is conducted by CABAA to bring together Chicago's business aviation community to support a philanthropic organization that delivers an essential service to those in need in the greater Chicago community. This year's recipient, Shepherd's Housel, is a residential facility established to provide a safe place for expectant mothers who do not have a place to live and are experiencing a crisis pregnancy. For more information or to register, visit http://www.cabaa.com or NBAA's Durwood Heinrich at dheinrich@nbaa.org.

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NBAA News

NBAA Membership Directory Now Available in Printed Version
The 2005 NBAA Directory of Member Companies, Aircraft & Personnel is currently mailing to NBAA Members who previously have requested he printed version. This valuable Member benefit contains a comprehensive listing of all NBAA Members with their aircraft and flight department personnel. Separate sections include NBAA Member aircraft by tail number, Member aircraft by make and model, Members by geographical region and Members by products and services. Members receive their first copy of the Directory for free; additional copies are $50 each. The CD version will be available soon. For more information or to check if you have requested the printed version, contact NBAA's Benjamin Schwalen at bschwalen@nbaa.org.

June Issue of Quick Turns Now Online
NBAA Quick Turns is an e-newsletter dedicated to the promotion of corporate aviation maintenance practices and safety. The June issue includes a message from NBAA Maintenance Committee Chairman Bill McBride of Home Depot, updates on Maintenance Committee activities, and a preview of maintenance-related events scheduled for the NBAA 58th Annual Meeting & Convention, to be held November 15 to 17 in New Orleans, LA. Read the issue online at:
http://www.nbaa.org/quickturns

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