| Business Aviation News & Issues |
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U.S. House Approves FY07 Transportation Bill With Significant Aviation Funding
Last week, the House of Representatives approved its version of a transportation spending bill for the next fiscal year, which contains substantial
resources for aviation system maintenance and improvement. The legislation, which is known in policy circles as the FY07 Transportation-Treasury
appropriations bill, includes funding for several federal agencies, and was passed overwhelmingly by a vote of 406 to 22. The bill contains $8.366
billion for FAA operations; $3.110 billion for the FAA Facilities and Equipment Program (which is nearly $600 million above the previous funding
level); and $3.7 billion for the Airport Improvement Program (which is $950 million above the President's '07 budget request). The bill also provides
funds for air traffic modernization and contract towers, and additional FAA aviation inspector and aircraft certification positions in FY07. "NBAA
applauds the House of Representatives for its strong signal of support for aviation," NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen said. The Senate has yet to
consider its version of the FY07 transportation funding bill. For more information, contact NBAA's Dick Doubrava at rdoubrava@nbaa.org.
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NBAA Welcomes Nomination of Safety Committee Member for
NTSB Post
NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen today applauded the recent nomination of Robert L. Sumwalt III to an open seat on the National Transportation Safety
Board (NTSB). Sumwalt, a member of NBAA's Safety Committee, is a long-time aviation safety advocate and former aviation department manager for South
Carolina-based SCANA Corp., a public utility company. "Mr. Sumwalt's firm grasp of a wide range of issues related to aviation safety has made him a
tremendous resource to the business aviation community, and we are confident that he would be a great asset to the NTSB," Bolen said. NBAA sent the
White House a letter of support for Sumwalt's nomination in December of last year. For more information, contact NBAA's Doug Carr at dcarr@nbaa.org, or visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/news/pr/2006/20060619-024.php
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New Resource Provides Tax Guidance for Charitable
Flights
Many businesses generously make their aircraft available for charitable flights. Prior to doing so, it is important to know the FAA and IRS rules
applicable to these flights and any tax deductions the company might want to take associated with the contributions. The ability of a business to
deduct the costs attributable to charitable flights for income tax purposes depends on the circumstances relating to the flights. Strategies for
deducting the costs of charitable flights might include, in appropriate circumstances, treating them as business flights, compensatory flights or
charter flights. These issues are addressed in a new resource, available for download in PDF format online at:
http://www.nbaa.org/news/update/?charitableflights
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Milwaukee Now Open as a Gateway Airport Into DCA
In early May, the Transportation Security Administration announced that three airports were to be added to the list of approved "gateway airports"
for flights into Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) by operators approved in accordance with the DCA Access Standard Security Program
(DASSP). Facilities at two of the airports, Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL) and Memphis International Airport (MEM), are still going through the
vetting process to be approved. General Mitchell International Airport (MKE) is now approved and available for use by DASSP operators. A list of the
other 12 gateway airports and more information on becoming a DASSP operator may be found on the NBAA web site at:
http://www.nbaa.org/ops/security/dassp/
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Sacramento Executive a Welcome Destination for Both Neighbors and
Pilots
Airport infrastructure improvements don't have to be momentous to have impressive results, particularly for the surrounding community. At Sacramento
Executive Airport (SAC), a rehabilitation project several years ago recast an unattractive lot in front of the landmark terminal building into an
attractive vista, and today, these improvements make the airport a draw for neighbors. Recent airside upgrades, while not as noticeable from the
exterior, have made the airport a more welcome destination for pilots. For the complete report on SAC, which is part of an ongoing series of NBAA
airport reports, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/ops/airports/sac/
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Night Operations Suspended at South Lake Tahoe
Effective June 13, the State of California suspended night operations at South Lake Tahoe (TVL) pursuant to the removal of runway obstructions at
both approach ends and sides of Runway 36/18. The state has ordered the airport to deactivate the approach, runway, taxiway, rotating beacon and
segmented circle lighting and to publish NOTAM (D) information indicating night operation suspension until further notice. For further information,
contact TVL airport management at (530) 542-6045 or NBAA's Dan Burkhart at dburkhart@nbaa.org.
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North Florida Luncheon Is This Wednesday
The North Florida Business Aviation Association (NFBAA) will hold a luncheon meeting at 12:00 noon this Wednesday, June 21. Traver Gruen-Kennedy,
vice president of community and governmental affairs for DayJet Corp. in Delray Beach, FL, will brief the group on his company's pioneering approach
to a new type of regional travel using the Eclipse 500 very light jet. The event will be held at the Jacksonville Aviation Authority Office Center
Building, located at the entrance to Jacksonville International Airport at 14201 Pecan Park Rd. Send RSVPs as soon as possible to cfarmer@skyplustech.com. For more information, visit http://www.nfbaa.org, or contact NBAA's Harry Houckes at hhouckes@nbaa.org.
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NBAA's Steve Brown to Speak at Georgia Group's Safety Day on Aug. 23
The Georgia Business Aviation Association (GBAA) will hold a Safety Day on August 23 at the Marriott Century Center in Atlanta. The presentations
will cover a wide range of safety-related topics of interest to flight department personnel. The keynote speaker will be NBAA Senior Vice President,
Operations Steve Brown. For more information visit the GBAA web site at http://www.gbaa.org or contact NBAA's Harry
Houckes at hhouckes@nbaa.org.
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Flight Attendants Conference Is This Week in Denver
This Friday and Saturday, June 23 and 24, in Denver, CO, the NBAA 11th Annual Flight Attendants Conference will feature many topics of interest to
business aviation flight attendants and flight technicians, including safety, career development, FBOs and international handlers, effective
communication, the future of cabin crews and catering. NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen will speak during the opening session, while keynote speaker
and former United Airlines pilot Denny Fitch will highlight the importance of crew resource management in emergency situations. Recipients and
sponsors of the NBAA Flight Attendants/Flight Technicians Scholarship also will be recognized. Advance registration is available through the NBAA web
site; on-site registration also will be provided both mornings of the event. For more information or to register, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/cs/fltatt/2006/
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NBAA2006 Will Provide a Year's Worth of Business in Just Three
Days
The world of business aviation will gather in Orlando, FL, from October 17 to 19 for the NBAA 59th Annual Meeting & Convention (NBAA2006). The
products and services of more than 1,100 Exhibitors will be featured in nearly one million square feet of exhibit space at the Orange County
Convention Center, and over 110 aircraft will be on display at Orlando Executive Airport (ORL). A comprehensive schedule of Informational Sessions
will address timely issues affecting the business aviation community. Registration, housing and travel arrangements all may be made in advance
online. For more information about attending or exhibiting at NBAA2006, visit the official web site at:
http://www.nbaa.org/2006
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Flight Operations Manual Workshop
June 19–20, 2006, Denver, CO
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Management Fundamentals for Flight Departments Workshop
June 21–22, 2006, Denver, CO
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11th Annual Flight Attendants Conference
June 23–24, 2006, Denver, CO
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15th Annual Tax, Regulatory and Risk Management Conference
October 15–16, 2006, Orlando, FL
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59th Annual Meeting & Convention (NBAA2006)
October 17–19, 2006, Orlando, FL
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Business Aviation Regional Forum
November 16, 2006, Long Beach, CA
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IS-BAO Implementation Workshop
November 17, 2006, Long Beach, CA
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Review the Full NBAA Events Calendar
http://www.nbaa.org/events
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Review Future NBAA Convention Dates
http://www.nbaa.org/conventions/futuresites.htm
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