| Business Aviation News & Issues |
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Bolen Letter to Editor Challenges Airlines in User
Fee Debate
NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen last week sent a letter to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram to highlight the fact, missed in the newspaper's
coverage, that the airlines want to use the upcoming FAA funding, or "reauthorization," debate to shift billions in their costs onto the general
aviation community and seize control of the nation's aviation system. "The airlines, of course, are seeking a sweetheart deal that would cut their
taxes while increasing fees for smaller aircraft operators," Bolen's letter reads, in part. "The general aviation industry represents the lifeblood
of small businesses and small and rural communities all across America." Contact your members of Congress in opposition to user fees at http://www.nbaa.org/userfees. View the published version of Bolen's letter, and the story it responds to,
at:
http://www.nbaa.org/news/letters/20070111-fort-worth-star-telegram.php
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NBAA Highlights Business Aviation Safety Record in Responding to Reporters on Van Nuys Accident
In the days since the fatal accident on January 12 involving a Cessna Citation at Van Nuys Airport (VNY), NBAA has worked with local and national
reporters to provide as much information about the event as possible, while also recognizing the tragic nature of the event and underscoring the
overall safety record for business aviation with news media outlets. NBAA extends its condolences to the families of those involved in the accident,
and Association staff members have contacted the company involved to offer support and assistance. NBAA will continue to follow developments and
issue updates as more information becomes available. Members with questions concerning this incident should contact NBAA at (202)
783-9360.
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NBAA Provides Members With A008 Operational Control Compliance
Checklist
NBAA Member Jet Solutions LLC was among the first charter operators to be issued the FAA's new A008 Operational Control Operations Specification
(OpSpec). As an ISO-9001 certified company, Jet Solutions LLC developed a compliance checklist describing each aspect of the new A008, which helped
its team document its compliance with the OpSpec. Through NBAA, Jet Solutions LLC has made this internal audit/compliance checklist available to
Members to assist them with A008 compliance efforts. NBAA has worked continuously to ensure that the voice of the business aviation community is
heard during the FAA's OpSpec development process, and the Association continues to raise concerns about the policy. Download the compliance
checklist and other operational control resources at:
http://www.nbaa.org/ops/part135/wetlease
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Bolen Notifies FAA of Part 135 Operational Control Guidance
Concerns
Last week, NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen sent a letter to FAA Administrator Marion Blakey expressing serious concerns with the recent FAA guidance
on operational control. The FAA soon will issue a substantially revised Operations Specification (OpSpec) A008 to Part 135 air charter operators.
NBAA asserts that the guidance is frustratingly vague, and in many cases, attempts to regulate business and economic matters not related to aviation
safety. While the guidance presents areas that could be viewed by FAA inspectors as signs that operational control has been compromised, it does not
present any safe harbors that Part 135 operators or aircraft owners could rely upon to ensure full compliance with the OpSpec. NBAA believes this
will lead to confusion among those in the air charter industry and inconsistent interpretations by FAA inspectors in the field. NBAA is requesting
that the FAA suspend the revised OpSpec until the business issues not based on aviation safety are removed and reasonable safe harbors for operators
are included in the guidance. To view the letter visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/ops/part135/wetlease
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NBAA Voices Industry Concerns With New FAA Charter Aircraft
Policy
Last week, NBAA sent a letter to the FAA requesting that the agency modify its policy (published in Notice 8000.343) on adding aircraft to a charter
operator's operations specifications. The current notice requires principle operations inspectors (POIs) to request approval from FAA headquarters
prior to adding the aircraft to the certificate. NBAA believes that this requirement will unnecessarily burden both FAA staff and charter operators
and unnecessarily delay the addition of aircraft to the on-demand charter fleet. NBAA believes that a more reasonable approach would include only a
notification of FAA headquarters staff by the POI when a charter operator adds a new aircraft. View NBAA's letter at:
http://www.nbaa.org/ops/part135
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FAA Issues Alert to Users of Noise-Canceling
Headsets
The FAA has issued an InFO notice that alerts users of noise-canceling headsets to the potential for misdetection of audible aircraft alarms and
other environmental sounds. While ordinary headsets reduce noise levels through only physical means, noise-canceling headsets use a combination of
physical and electronic means to cancel noise. Although this technology can have many beneficial effects, such as providing clearer communications
and reducing pilot fatigue, electronic attenuation of important environmental sounds and alarms may occur. Users of noise-canceling headsets are
encouraged to conduct evaluations to ensure that audible alarms or other environmental sounds can be detected while electronic noise attenuation is
on and active. View the notice at:
http://www.nbaa.org/ops/safety/info07001.pdf
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Record Numbers Expected at Next Week's S&D Conference in
Phoenix
The NBAA Schedulers & Dispatchers (S&D) Conference is one of business aviation's premier events, offering a wide range of information
sessions and the opportunity to network with more than 2,000 industry peers. Next week, from January 21 to 24 in Phoenix, AZ, the NBAA 18th Annual
Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference will focus on the theme of promoting workplace productivity. Exhibitor booths, which sold out in advance,
increased from 322 in 2006 to 351 in 2007, a 9-percent gain and the most booths ever sold for this event. The Conference keynote speaker will be
Kevin Freiberg, the best-selling author of the books Nuts! and Guts! Articles, photos, presentations and interviews will be posted on
the NBAA web site throughout the event, at:
http://www.nbaa.org/events/sdc/2007
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Reminder: New U.S. Passport Requirements 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
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Where Can I Find NBAA Resources on Personal Use of
Employer-Provided Aircraft?
When making a company airplane available to employees for reasons not directly related to the business of the company, it is important to become
familiar with applicable FAA, IRS and SEC regulations. NBAA has developed a web resource that provides information on the role that each of these
agencies play in regulating the personal use of employer-provided aircraft. Members will find a number of valuable resources on this web page,
including the NBAA Personal Use of Employer-Provided Aircraft Handbook, standard industry fare level (SIFL) rates and calculator and
information regarding deduction limitations for certain non-business flights. To access the web resource visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/ops/taxes/personaluse
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Mode S Transponder Equipage Deadline Approaching for European
Operations
The March 31 deadline for certain operators to be in compliance with the Eurocontrol requirement to equip their aircraft with Mode S elementary (ELS)
and enhanced (EHS) surveillance is fast approaching. This requirement applies to operators flying in European airspace using aircraft with a maximum
takeoff weight greater than 12,566 lbs. or a maximum cruise true airspeed greater than 250 knots. For more information, visit the NBAA web site
at:
http://web.nbaa.org/member/ops/cns/modes
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250-Knot Departure Speed Restriction in London Airspace
After a nine-month trial to assess the operational impact of adhering to the 250-knot departure speed restriction below FL100 on standard instrument
departures from Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, London City and Northolt airports in the London metropolitan area, the restriction will become a
permanent procedure. All aircraft will be expected to maintain 250 knots on departure, but pilots may request a higher speed for operational or
safety requirements only. For more information, contact NATS's Richard Schofield at richard.j.schofield@nats.co.uk or NBAA's Bill Stine at bstine@nbaa.org.
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Air Traffic Advisory: Super Bowl to Affect Miami-Area Traffic
The NFL's Super Bowl XLI will be held at Miami's Dolphin Stadium on February 4. No special traffic management program (STMP) will be required in
conjunction with this event; however, users can anticipate traffic management initiatives, including the possibility of ground delay programs and en
route spacing. Local airports expecting to see a significant increase in air traffic are Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood (FLL), Fort Lauderdale Executive
(FXE) and Opa Locka (OPF). A security temporary flight restriction (TFR) has been published (06/9015) for the night of the game, detailing
requirements for security initiatives that will include GA operations being prohibited to operate within a 10 nm ring around the stadium from 4:00
p.m. to 11:59 p.m. This TFR will prohibit operations at FLL/MIA/OPF and at North Perry Airport (HWO) during that time. A NOTAM detailing procedures
for arrivals and departures to South Florida will be published in the January 18 NTAP, which also will include detailed routes and ingress/egress
procedures. Users who are capable of utilizing off-shore routes should give that option serious consideration. For more information, contact the NBAA
GA Desk at gadesk@nbaa.org.
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Five New RNAV STAR Procedures to Be Implemented at CVG
Effective Thursday, January 18, five new RNAV standard terminal arrival route (STAR) procedures will be available for use at the Cincinnati/Northern
Kentucky International Airport (CVG). The procedures being implemented include: CEGRM ONE ARRIVAL, GAVNN ONE ARRIVAL, TIGRR ONE ARRIVAL, SARGO ONE
ARRIVAL and JAKIE ONE ARRIVAL. Although operators of properly equipped aircraft are strongly encouraged to file these STARs, they will not be
mandated initially. Operators wanting to fly one of the new STARs simply should file the desired procedure. For more information, contact NBAA's
Operations Service Group at info@nbaa.org.
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Operators Urged to Review and Adhere to TEB Departure Procedures
NBAA reminds operators departing TEB to review and adhere to the published Teterboro Five Departure procedures. Numerous deviations from these
published procedures have created safety concerns as they cause conflicts with other traffic in close proximity. While it previously appeared as
though Departure Five deviations were improving, the most recent NASA report shows an increase to a total of 46 deviations, with the majority being
attributed to overshooting altitude restrictions. To date, there have been no incidents attributed to TEB Five Departure deviations. Operators may
obtain detailed plain-language instructions of the TEB Five Departure from any of the TEB FBOs; the TEB Five and Dalton Departure procedures also are
published on the TEB web site at:
http://www.teb.com
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NBAA's Steve Brown to Address San Antonio Group on Jan. 29
On January 29, the San Antonio Area Business Aviation Alliance will hear NBAA Senior Vice President, Operations Steve Brown speak on the most vital
issues facing business aviation. This meeting is designed to inform business managers of the intense issues facing business aviation transportation
and its potential effects on surrounding communities. San Antonio-based business executives and flight department personnel are invited to attend.
The event will be held at 6:00 p.m. at the San Antonio International Airport on the Mezzanine Level, Terminal One and will include dinner at about
$40 per person. A tour of the San Antonio TRACON and control tower will follow. RSVP to (210) 377-1111 or sharon.garza@valero.com. For additional information, contact NBAA's Steve Hadley at shadley@nbaa.org.
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Georgia Business Aviation Association to Host ATC Luncheon in Atlanta, Feb. 13
The Georgia Business Aviation Association (GBAA) will host a luncheon on February 13 at the FAA Southern Regional Office, College Park, GA. Flight
department personnel are invited to attend the meeting to learn about upcoming plans for an Atlanta Class B airspace redesign. Presenters will
include NBAA Assistant Manager, GA Desk Ernie Stellings and FAA ATC Tactical Operations Group's Doug Molin and Mike Ogles. Direct general questions
to NBAA's Harry Houckes at hhouckes@nbaa.org. For more information or to register, download the registration
form from the GBAA web site at:
http://www.gbaa.org
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North Florida Meeting in Jacksonville, Feb. 14
The North Florida Business Aviation Association (NFBAA) will host a luncheon meeting on February 14 at Signature Flight Support on Jacksonville
International Airport (JAX). John Clark, executive director and CEO of the Jacksonville Aviation Authority, will be the featured speaker. Direct
RSVPs to cfarmer@skyplustech.com. For more information, contact NFBAA's Pat Mulvihill at pmulvihill@aerospaceinvestments.com or NBAA's Harry Houckes at hhouckes@nbaa.org, or visit NFBAA's web site at:
http://www.nfbaa.org
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International Operators Scholarship Applications Due Jan.
31
NBAA offers the International Operators Scholarship in conjunction with sponsor ExxonMobil Aviation and the Avitats to benefit business aviation
professionals engaged in international operations. Worth $5,000, the scholarship will be awarded at the NBAA 34th Annual International Operators
Conference, to be held from March 26 to 29 in San Diego, CA. For more information or to download an application, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/education/scholarships/intl
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Essential Education: NBAA's Regulatory Hot Topics Forum
Business aircraft owners and operators face numerous challenges to comply with ever-changing regulations. Next week's NBAA Regulatory Hot Topics
Forum will address current and upcoming issues of importance to all aircraft owners and operators, including Part 135 charter operations. FAA's new
A008 operational control operations specification, employment law issues related to business aviation, DOT regulation of air charter brokers, common
regulatory problems, and upcoming regulatory changes will be addressed by leading industry experts and government officials at an
intermediate-to-advanced level. Ample time will be allowed for questions and answers. This event will be held on January 26 in Scottsdale, AZ, in
conjunction with NBAA's Business Aviation Regional Forum on January 25. For more information or to register, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/events/regforum/20070126
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Does Your Flight Operations Manual Meet the International
Standard?
All flight departments should have an up-to-date flight operations manual setting forth policies and procedures designed to ensure safe and effective
flight operations. There are a number of good reasons to have a manual, and many insurance companies also insist on one. The NBAA Flight Operations
Manual Workshop to be held March 5 and 6 in Houston, TX, uses the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) as the basis for
providing participants with all materials needed to develop or update an excellent flight operations manual, custom-tailored to their operations.
This Workshop also qualifies as an NBAA Professional Development Program (PDP) Course. To learn more or register, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/events/fomw/200703
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March Workshop Teaches Management Fundamentals
The two-day NBAA Management Fundamentals for Flight Departments Workshop scheduled for March 7 and 8 in Houston, TX, gives flight department managers
key information about safe operations, regulatory compliance, basic management practices, budgeting and accounting, cost controls, vendor selection
and tracking, records and reports, planning for the future and other issues. This interactive program, which qualifies as an NBAA Professional
Development Program (PDP) Course, will provide practical, proven techniques for making a flight department more effective and efficient. For more
information or to register, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/events/mffdw/200703
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Schedulers Professional Development Program (SPDP) Courses (five total)
January 20 and 21, 2007, Phoenix, AZ
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18th Annual Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference
January 21–24, 2007, Phoenix, AZ
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Business Aviation Regional Forum
January 25, 2007, Scottsdale, AZ
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Regulatory Hot Topics Forum
January 26, 2007, Scottsdale, AZ
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IS-BAO Implementation Workshop
January 30, 2007, San Antonio, TX
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Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (ABACE2007)
February 6–7, 2007, Hong Kong
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ABACE Japan Forum – Nagoya, Aichi
February 9, 2007, Nagoya, Japan
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Application Deadline for April CAM Exam
February 15, 2007
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Professional Development Program (PDP) Course: Performance Reviews and Feedback Systems
February 20, 2007, San Diego, CA
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Leadership Conference
February 21–22, 2007, San Diego, CA
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Certified Aviation Manager Exam
February 23, 2007, San Diego, CA
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IS-BAO Implementation Workshop
February 28, 2007, Bedford, MA
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Flight Operations Manual Workshop
March 5–6, 2007, Houston, TX
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Management Fundamentals for Flight Attendee Registration FormDepartments Workshop
March 7–8, 2007, Houston, TX
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Business Aviation Regional Forum
March 22, 2007, Fort Lauderdale, FL
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34th Annual International Operators Conference
March 26–29, 2007, San Diego, 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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