| Business Aviation News & Issues |
|
Bolen Opinion Piece Articulates Opposition to User
Fees
As a new Department of Transportation secretary and a new congressional majority begin setting priorities for the coming year, the commercial
airlines remain undeterred in their efforts to make their user fee plan part of the FAA funding process in 2007. Recent news reports about the FAA's
thinking indicate that user fee proposals from the agency are a distinct possibility. NBAA continues the fight to oppose any user fee scheme; a
recent opinion piece, authored by NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen and published in the November 2006 edition of Professional Pilot,
articulates NBAA's reasons for opposing user fees. Members may find the piece useful in discussing the issue with others in the industry. Download
the opinion piece (296 KB, PDF) at:
http://www.nbaa.org/news/letters/200611_propilot.pdf
|
OpSpec A008 Release Still Pending; NBAA Will Keep Industry
Informed
Part 135 air carriers and aircraft owners who have placed their aircraft on a charter certificate continue to await the release of the final version
of operations specification (OpSpec) A008 addressing operational control. The OpSpec and inspector guidance will clarify the FAA's view of
operational control and related issues, such as aircraft leasing and managed charter arrangements, which have been under intense FAA scrutiny during
the past 18 months. The final OpSpec and accompanying FAA inspector guidance previously were due by November 30; however, NBAA learned that these
documents still are in the final stages of review and coordination within the FAA. The OpSpec now is expected to be issued in December. When it
becomes available, NBAA will inform Members and post the files at:
http://web.nbaa.org/member/ops/part135/wetlease
|
New U.S. Passport Requirements for Air Travel Take Effect Jan.
23
Beginning January 23, all persons, including U.S. citizens, entering the United States by air from the Americas, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and
Bermuda, will be required to have a valid and current passport. For more information, visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection web site at:
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/whti/
|
RNP-10 to be Implemented in WATRS Plus Airspace in 2008
On June 5, 2008, the FAA plans to introduce a redesigned route structure and a reduced lateral separation standard in WATRS Plus airspace. WATRS Plus
airspace includes the West Atlantic Route System (WATRS), Miami Oceanic airspace in the Atlantic and the San Juan FIR. Although the airspace will
initially be non-exclusionary, some access restrictions may apply to those aircraft without dual RNP-10 capable long-range navigation systems. For
more information, visit the FAA web site at:
http://www.faa.gov/ats/ato/cns.htm
|
Commercial Aircraft Arriving From Canada No Longer
Exempt From APHIS Fees
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has announced that the exemption from agricultural inspection
fees for commercial aircraft (including on-demand charter aircraft) arriving in the U.S. from Canada will be eliminated. The Department of
Agriculture had planned to implement this change on November 24, but recently delayed the effective date to March 1, 2007. Commercial aircraft
arriving from Canada no longer will be exempt from the aircraft inspection fee of $70.50 and the per passenger fee of $5.00. There is a limited
exemption for aircraft with fewer than 64 seats. However, the arriving aircraft may not have any animal or plant products on board and catering must
be limited to pre-packaged snacks and beverages. For more information, visit:
http://web.nbaa.org/member/ops/intl/customs/us/fees.php#aphis
|
|
International Civil Aviation Day Focuses on Safety and Security
December 7 is the date of this year's International Civil Aviation Day, which establishes and reinforces worldwide awareness of the importance of
international civil aviation in the social and economic development of countries. The theme of this year's celebration, "Safety and security –
first and always the top priority," was chosen to pay tribute to the men and women of aviation who protect the well-being of billions passengers who
travel the skies of the world for pleasure or business. International Civil Aviation Day is celebrated annually on December 7 to mark the creation of
the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), created in 1944 to promote the safe and orderly development of international civil aviation
throughout the world. For more information about ICAO, visit:
http://www.icao.int
|
NBAA Marks Passing of Leonard M. Greene, Aviation Safety Advocate
Leonard M. Greene, 88, died of cancer on November 30. Aviation safety advocate, inventor and entrepreneur, Greene was founder and honorary chairman
of Safe Flight Instrument Corp., supplier of air safety and performance technology to the majority of the world's aircraft manufacturers. Founded in
1946, the company was launched by Greene's invention of the stall warning indicator. Greene also co-founded Corporate Angel Network, which flies more
than 2,500 cancer patients per year to treatment centers for free by using empty seats on business aircraft. In 1996, NBAA honored Greene with the
Meritorious Service to Aviation Award for his significant contributions to aviation. A memorial service was held December 4 in White Plains, NY. In
lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Corporate Angel Network, Westchester County Airport, One Loop Rd., White Plains, NY
10604.
|
|
|
NBAA Regional Forum to Be Held in Arizona Next Month
NBAA's next Business Aviation Regional Forum will be held January 25 at Scottsdale Airport (SDL) in Scottsdale, AZ. The Regional Forum is a day-long
learning and networking experience designed to meet the needs of the regional business aviation community, and to provide an introduction to local
business leaders interested in learning more about business aviation. The Scottsdale event will feature approximately 60 Exhibitors and 30 static
aircraft and several briefings on topics of interest to the Southwest U.S. business aviation community. For more information about hotel and travel
information, or how to exhibit, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/cs/forums/20070125/
|
NBAA's 2007 Regional Forum Schedule
In addition to the Scottsdale event, next year NBAA will host Business Aviation Regional Forums in Nagoya, Japan; Fort Lauderdale, FL; White Plains,
NY; St. Louis, MO; and Oakland, CA. Regional Forums bring business aircraft owners, operators, manufacturers, customers and other industry personnel
together for a one-day event at the best airports and FBOs in the nation and abroad. Because the Regional Forums are hosted in locations on a
regional basis, Exhibitors and Attendees can meet with sales prospects and colleagues to share ideas relative to their particular geographic region.
For more information, visit the Regional Forums page at:
http://www.nbaa.org/forums
|
New York-Area NBAA Members Set Good Example by 'Flying Quietly'
At a recent awards presentation witnessed by the county executive, airport commission and local legislators, New York's Westchester County Airport
(HPN) recognized many companies, including nearly 35 NBAA Members, for their efforts to help mitigate perceived noise issues at the airport by
adhering to voluntary constraints from flying and following published noise abatement procedures. NBAA thanks those Members for their noise abatement
efforts and urges all operators to practice "quiet flying." Review NBAA's Noise Abatement Program online at:
http://www.nbaa.org/quietflying
|
Four New RNAV STARs for Memphis International Airport
In the November 23 FAA Terminal Procedures Publication, there were four new RNAV standard terminal arrivals (STARs) published for Memphis
International Airport (MEM). These procedures (BEERT ONE ARRIVAL, LTOWN ONE ARRIVAL, LARUE ONE ARRIVAL, and TAMMY ONE ARRIVAL) will be implemented on
Monday, December 11 at 0901z. For more information, contact NBAA's Mark Larsen at mlarsen@nbaa.org.
|
NBAA's Piccione to Speak at Minnesota Legislative Briefing This Thursday
On Thursday, December 7, the Minnesota Business Aviation Association (MBAA) will host a luncheon briefing with NBAA Senior Vice President, Government
Affairs Lisa Piccione, who will discuss hot topics in business aviation and how regional group members can participate in the legislative process.
Company leadership, aviation managers and chief pilots are invited to attend. The event will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Holiday Inn
Select in Bloomington, MN. RSVP by December 4 to mbaa@mbaa-mn.org. For more information, contact NBAA's John
Balsiger at jbalsiger@nbaa.org or visit the MBAA web site at:
http://www.mbaa-mn.org
|
FAA to Hold New York Area Customer Meeting, Jan. 5
NBAA Members in the New York area are invited to participate in an FAA New York-area customer meeting on Friday, January 5 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00
p.m. at NY Air Routing Traffic Control Center, Annex Building in Ronkonkoma, NY. Representatives from ZNY, ZDC, PHL, ZDC, ZBW, N90, NY METRO Towers
and the FAA's Air Traffic Control System Command Center will attend and address customer issues. NBAA will post an agenda as soon as it is available.
Members should direct comments about the agenda to NBAA's Bob Lamond at rlamond@nbaa.org.
|
|
|
NBAA Can Help in a Crisis
One of the many benefits of NBAA Membership is the ability to use the Association's communications resources and support services in the event of an
aircraft incident or accident. NBAA staff members have experience working with Member Companies to help them address the needs to communicate with
employees, news organizations, federal policymakers and other key audiences. To learn more, contact NBAA Vice President, Communications Dan Hubbard
at (202) 783-9360 or dhubbard@nbaa.org.
|
Applications for Next CAM Exam Due Jan. 4
NBAA seeks to enhance the level of management, professionalism and recognition within flight departments by offering the Certified Aviation Manager
(CAM) Program. The next CAM Exam will take place on February 23, in San Diego, CA, in conjunction with the NBAA Leadership Conference. Applications
for the exam should be submitted no later than January 4. To learn more about the CAM Program, or to apply to take the exam, contact NBAA at cam@nbaa.org or visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/cam
|
|
|
Application Deadline for February CAM Exam
January 4, 2007
|
18th Annual Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference
January 21–24, 2007, Phoenix, AZ
|
Business Aviation Regional Forum
January 25, 2007, Scottsdale, AZ
|
Regulatory Hot Topics Forum
January 26, 2007, Scottsdale, AZ
|
IS-BAO Implementation Workshop
January 30, 2007, San Antonio, TX
|
Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (ABACE2007)
February 6–7, 2007, Hong Kong
|
Business Aviation Regional Forum
February 9, 2007, Nagoya, Japan
|
Application Deadline for April CAM Exam
February 15, 2007
|
Leadership Conference
February 20–21, 2007, San Diego, CA
|
Certified Aviation Manager Exam
February 23, 2007, San Diego, CA
|
IS-BAO Implementation Workshop
February 28, 2007, Bedford, MA
|
Business Aviation Regional Forum
March 22, 2007, Fort Lauderdale, FL
|
34th Annual International Operators Conference
March 26–29, 2007, San Diego, CA
|
Review the Full NBAA Events Calendar
http://www.nbaa.org/events
|
Review Future NBAA Convention Dates
http://www.nbaa.org/conventions/futuresites.htm
|
|
|
|
