NBAA Update Archive

NBAA Update #05-52
Monday, December 26, 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

FAA Issues Urgent Reminder to Air Carriers Regarding Operating in Ice Pellet/Snow Conditions
On December 21, 2005, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a reminder to airlines, charter operators and FAA inspectors that operating in ice pellet conditions with anti-icing fluids on the critical surfaces of an aircraft is contrary to FAA guidance and policy expressed in Notice 8000.309: Dispatching During Precipitation Conditions of Ice Pellets, Snow Pellets, or Other Icing Events for which No Holdover Times Exist and Notice 8000.313: Parts 121 and 135 Operations Specification for Deicing/Anti-Icing, Operations in Ice Pellets without Deice/Anti-Ice Fluids. The FAA stated that the Agency does not have sufficient data at this time to approve such operations; therefore, such operations are considered to be potentially hazardous. NBAA urges all Part 135 certificate holders to review their flight release procedures and anti-ice/de-ice programs to ensure they are in full compliance with FAA regulations and guidance. For more information, contact NBAA's Mike Nichols at mnichols@nbaa.org. Read the FAA's reminder at:
http://www.nbaa.org/ops/safety/FAA20051221.php

FAA Releases AC 90-101: Approval Guidance for RNP Procedures with SAAAR
This advisory circular (AC) provides airworthiness and operational approval guidance material for aircraft operators conducting Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 97 Area Navigation (RNAV) Required Navigation Performance (RNP) instrument approach procedures with Special Aircraft and Aircrew Authorization Required (SAAAR), charted as "RNAV (RNP) RWY XX." These procedures will be referred to as "RNP SAAAR." The AC provides a method of compliance with public RNP SAAAR instrument approach procedure (IAP) requirements. For more information, contact NBAA's Bob Lamond at rlamond@nbaa.org. Download AC90-101 in PDF format at:
http://www.nbaa.org/ops/ac/AC90-101.pdf

Steve Nielson Named NBAA's Alternate on IBAC Governing Board
During its December meeting, the NBAA Board of Directors designated Steve Nielsen of Yum! Brands, Inc., as NBAA's new alternate representative to the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) Governing Board. In this position, Nielsen will represent NBAA's interests in the council's activities. This group establishes guidance for IBAC by collecting industry positions on technical and political issues from its member associations for representation to international organizations such as ICAO, ECAC and similar groups. For more information about IBAC, visit:
http://www.ibac.org

Steve Creamer to Represent United States on ICAO's ANC
NBAA recently met with the FAA's newly appointed U.S. member of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Air Navigation Committee (ANC), Steve Creamer, who will oversee and provide guidance on technical aviation matters proceeding through ICAO. NBAA reminds its Members that most ICAO business ultimately will affect U.S. civil operators in some way. As a result, it is vitally important that the U.S. representatives at ICAO, including Creamer, are conversant with the needs of business aviation operators in order to support those needs. The Association congratulates Creamer on this appointment and offers him support as he assumes his post in Montreal. For more information, contact NBAA's Bill Stine at bstine@nbaa.org.

NGATS Institute Names New Executive Director and Fills IPTs
The Next Generation Air Transportation System (NGATS) Institute has named a new executive director, Steve Fisher, who is a former U.S. Marine Corps helicopter pilot and senior staff officer with extensive experience at the FAA and in private sector high technology companies. Fisher most recently was with Northrop Grumman's Information Technology Sector overseeing FAA and Transportation Department programs and services. NBAA is actively involved in each of the integrated product teams (IPTs) at the NGATS Institute, which are: Airport, Security, Agile Air Traffic System, Situational Awareness, Safety Management, Environmental, Weather and Global Harmonization. NBAA will publish further details about these IPTs and NBAA's expected role in each in future issues of NBAA Update. For more information, contact NBAA's Bob Lamond at rlamond@nbaa.org.

United Kingdom Withdraws Value Added Tax (VAT) Decision on Refund Claims
Companies operating flights to the United Kingdom commonly reclaim the VAT paid on crew hotel and related travel expenses. In most cases, the employee's name and address appears on the travel receipts, not the name of the company, which generally is the entity requesting the refund. Earlier this year, the United Kingdom determined that in order for a refund request to be valid, the receipt must match the name of the entity requesting the refund. After hearing numerous concerns that this decision would cause inequities between the UK and overseas businesses, the UK Revenue and Customs has reversed this decision which was due to take effect on January 1, 2006. However, in order to minimize delays in refund processing, companies are encouraged, whenever possible, to ensure the receipt information matches the name and address of the entity requesting the refund. Review the UK HM Revenue & Customs Information Bulletin 2/2005 at:
http://web.nbaa.org/member/ops/taxes/hmrc200512.pdf

Where Can I Find FAQs That Pertain to Flight Operations?
The NBAA Operations Service Group (OSG) has posted more than 100 of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about business aviation operations, along with answers, on the NBAA web site at http://www.nbaa.org/ops/faq. Topics covered include tax, finance and insurance issues, international operations, Federal Aviation Regulations, TSA waivers, and airspace and air traffic procedures. Send your operational questions to the OSG at info@nbaa.org. An additional resource that operators may use to find answers to general aviation questions is the Federal Aviation Administration FAQ database, which may be found on the FAA's web site at:
http://faa.custhelp.com

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Regional News

FAA Implements Final Phase of the Florida Airspace Optimization Project
The final phase of the Florida Airspace Optimization (FAO) Project was implemented on December 22 with the introduction of new routes to ATL from FLL/PBI/TPA via the HONIE1. These new routes can be accessed at http://www.nbaa.org/ops/airspace/aso200512.php. Also, while the FAO Project has had continued success, the FAA has advised NBAA that there are still non-compliant operators filing incorrect routes. FAO benefits include reductions in departure and arrival delays at Florida airports, fewer miles-in-trail restrictions and less enroute vectoring. Noncompliance may result in an operator-imposed delay. Contact the GA Desk specialists with questions at gadesk@nbaa.org or view more information on the FAO, including detailed route information, at:
http://www.nbaa.org/ops/airspace/fao/

Boca Raton Regional Forum Agenda Now Online
NBAA will host its next Business Aviation Regional Forum on January 19 at Avitat Boca Raton on Boca Raton Airport (BCT) in Florida. The January event will feature sessions of interest to the business aviation community, including an overview about business aviation today, legal and regulatory issue-spotting for aircraft owners and operators, hypoxia awareness training using the reduced oxygen breathing device, and new requirements for aircraft/engine registration from the Cape Town Convention. The Boca Raton Forum also will feature approximately 30 aircraft on Static Display, 50 indoor Exhibitors and hundreds of Attendees. To register for this event online or view the full agenda, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/cs/forums/20060119/

Executive Workshop to Be Held in Conjunction With Regional Forum
NBAA and the VanAllen Group will host an Executive Workshop on Business Aviation the day before the NBAA Regional Forum in Boca Raton. This private, highly interactive and informative workshop will explore critical subjects such as how to start an aviation services needs analysis, how to determine solution and services options, how to structure and organize services, which safety and service issues to address, and what costs and legal issues are involved. Participants in this program will be your executive and management peers, and seating will be limited to no more than 25. For more information or to register, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/cs/forums/20060119/exec.php

NBAA's Brown to Speak at North Florida Luncheon, Jan. 18
The North Florida Business Aviation Association (NFBAA) will hold a luncheon meeting at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, January 18, at the Signature Flight Support facilities on Jacksonville International Airport (JAX). The keynote speaker for this event will be NBAA Senior Vice President of Operations Steve Brown, who oversees NBAA activities relating to aircraft operations and flight department management. Brown will provide a briefing on NBAA activities and answer audience questions. To RSVP, contact NFBAA's Pat Mulvihill at pmulvihill@aerospaceinvestments.com. For more information, contact NBAA's Harry Houckes at hhouckes@nbaa.org.

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Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) Program

NBAA News

Advanced ATC Delay Mitigation Session, Jan. 26 at S&D Conference
On Thursday, January 26, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon, NBAA and FAA officials will present an advanced session on ATC traffic flow management changes for the upcoming severe weather season. This session is particularly valuable for Members who frequently operate in the Northeast U.S. Learn about publicly available resources that can make you a more informed member of your flight department team. NBAA and FAA representatives will teach you to find out if your flight is affected, what the delay impact will be, and how to reduce that delay, if possible. The session will take place at the San Antonio Convention Center, Room 103B. For details about the session, contact NBAA's Jo Damato at jdamato@nbaa.org. For more information on this new initiative, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/ops/airspace/afp.ppt

Leadership Conference to Feature Alan Klapmeier; Online Registration Now Available
The NBAA Leadership Conference, to be held February 22 and 23 in Dallas, TX, will explore the theme "Leadership vs. Management: Finding the Balance." The event's keynote speaker will be Alan Klapmeier, co-founder, president and CEO of Cirrus Design Corporation, the world's second largest manufacturer of single-engine, piston aircraft. Klapmeier will reveal how the company became a success while challenging conventional assumptions. Other Conference offerings include two full days of informational sessions and a Leadership Mini Fair, where vendors will display their literature and visit with Attendees. The event also will be held in conjunction with an NBAA Professional Development Program Course, Regulatory Issues Forum and Certified Aviation Manager Examination (exam participants must be approved in advance). Online registration and agenda details are available online at:
http://www.nbaa.org/cs/leadership/2006

NBAA Headquarters Office Schedule
NBAA's Washington, DC, offices will be closed for the Christmas holiday on Monday, December 26, and will reopen on Tuesday, December 27 at 9:00 a.m. The office will close early for the New Year's weekend at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, December 30, and will reopen at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 3. (All times are Eastern.) The Association wishes its Members a safe and happy new year.

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