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NBAA's Bolen Represents Business Aviation at IRS
Hearing
At a hearing last week, NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen urged the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Treasury Department officials to modify the
proposed regulations relating to certain non-business use of business aircraft to alleviate confusion and unnecessary administrative burdens for
aircraft owners and operators. At the hearing, Bolen highlighted five key issues from the proposed regulations about which NBAA Members have
expressed significant concerns, and they are: the industry standard for defining the term "aircraft operating expenses," development of a charter
rate method safe harbor, treatment of security costs, the method for aggregation of aircraft and the tax treatment of charitable flights. The
testimony followed extensive written comments NBAA submitted on the proposed regulations. Review Bolen's full testimony and NBAA's written comments
to the IRS at:
http://www.nbaa.org/ops/taxes/personaluse
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NBAA Issues Statement on President's Nomination of Robert Sturgell
as FAA Administrator
NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen issued a statement last week commending the White House on its nomination of Robert "Bobby" Sturgell to serve as
administrator for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Sturgell has served as acting administrator since former Administrator Marion C.
Blakey's term ended in September. In Sturgell's former position as the FAA's deputy administrator, he oversaw the agency's day-to-day operations,
capital programs and modernization efforts. The former naval aviator also flew for United Airlines as a commercial pilot, and later became the senior
policy advisor at the National Transportation Safety Board. He has been a guest at several NBAA meetings and conferences in the U.S. and overseas.
Sturgell's nomination is subject to confirmation by the U.S. Senate. To review his full bio, visit:
http://www.faa.gov/about/key_officials/sturgell/
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Safety Standdown Draws Record Attendance
Last week, Bombardier, in partnership with NBAA, the FAA and NTSB, hosted its 11th Annual Safety Standdown, which attracted more than 530 Attendees.
Opening remarks by Pierre G. Côté, president, Bombardier Business Aircraft, Ed Bolen, president and CEO of NBAA, Mark Rosenker,
chairman, National Transportation Safety Board and Nick Sabatini, FAA associate administrator for aviation safety, set the exciting tone for a week
focused on improving human performance in aviation. The sold-out event introduced new sessions this year on international security procedures,
aviation law and airport runway analysis. Bombardier, NBAA and the European Business Aviation Association will host the second annual Safety
Standdown Europe in conjunction with the 8th Annual European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE2008), which will be held from May
20 to 22, 2008, in Geneva, Switzerland. For additional information, visit:
http://www.safetystanddown.com
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NBAA Requests Extended Review Period for Proposed
GA Security Rules
Last week, NBAA wrote to the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency to request an extension to the comment period for a new notice of proposed
rulemaking requiring operators of general aviation (GA) aircraft to submit passenger and aircraft owner/operator information prior to departing from
or arriving in the United States. As NBAA has previously reported, the CBP's proposed rules are part of an overall federal review of general aviation
security. "While the general aviation community supports security enhancements, NBAA is troubled with the potential impact of the CBP's proposal,
especially on small businesses," NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen said when the proposed rules were introduced in September. NBAA encourages Members
to review the proposal and submit comments. For additional information, contact NBAA at info@nbaa.org, or to
review the CBP's proposal and NBAA's recent letter requesting an extension of the commentary period, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/ops/intl/customs/us/CBP20071026.pdf
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New Aviation Insurance Information Resource
Available on NBAA Web Site
Insuring a business aircraft can be a complicated procedure, and necessitates a general understanding of policy coverage, limitations and exclusions.
Multifaceted and often contradictory aviation regulations drive the many legal agreements that must be executed when buying an aircraft, and these
factors play a key role in shaping an insurance program, which must address a wide variety of complex risks. To assist Members, NBAA has created a
new web resource that introduces aviation insurance considerations when buying a business aircraft. To download the information, visit:
http://web.nbaa.org/member/ops/taxes/riskmgmt/insuringthebird.php
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Save the Date for NBAA2008: Oct. 6–8, 2008
NBAA's 61st Annual Meeting & Convention (NBAA2008) will take place next year in Orlando, FL on Monday, October 6 through Wednesday, October 8.
NBAA2008 will continue to build on the enormous success of NBAA2007, which had 32,088 Attendees and a record total of 1,152 Exhibitors, in addition
to a sold-out Static Display. The NBAA2008 Exhibitor Prospectus will mail in early January. To view highlights from NBAA2007, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/2007
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NBAA Restructures Member Dues
Following extensive research and Member feedback, NBAA has announced its decision to increase and restructure Member dues for the first time in over
five years, making it easier to join or renew. This change is effective January 1, 2008, and will be reflected in Members' 2008 renewal notice. In
addition to the e-mail sent to each Member Company last week, Members also will receive a personal letter including their new dues amount. With the
user fee battle at the forefront, and the costs to provide Member benefits and services rising with inflation, this is a necessary step to maintain
the level of excellence that Members have come to know and trust from NBAA. To access the new dues calculator and review FAQs, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/dues
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Don't Miss Next Week's NBAA Regional Forum in Oakland, CA
Next week on November 8, NBAA will host a Business Aviation Regional Forum at Oakland International Airport (OAK) in California, where 60 Exhibitors
and hundreds of Attendees are expected. The event will open with an address by NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen alongside local and regional
officials. Following the opening session, experts will discuss effective ways to advocate for the value of airports in local communities, and feature
sessions on managing expectations in aircraft transactions and the threat "rogue pilots" cause to business aviation operations. A Static Display with
approximately 30 state-of-the-art aircraft will be open to Attendees throughout the day. Subsequent Regional Forums will be held March 27 in San
Antonio, TX, April 24 in Las Vegas, NV and June 26 in Dayton, OH. For more details, or to register, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/events/forums/20071108
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Connecticut Group Meeting Will Feature NBAA's Lisa Piccione
NBAA's Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Lisa Piccione will be the featured speaker at the Connecticut Business Aviation Group (CBAG)
luncheon on November 1. The event will begin at 12:00 noon at the Avon Old Farms Hotel in Avon, CT, where Piccione will give an update on the user
fee initiative, as well as information on working with legislators at state and federal levels. CBAG members and non-members are welcome to attend.
To RSVP, or for more information, contact Larry Jorash at larry.jorash@signatureflight.com, or
NBAA's Dean Saucier at dsaucier@nbaa.org.
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NBAA to Sponsor VLJ Forum in San Diego, Nov. 27–28
Following the success of the first Very Light Jet (VLJ) Forum held in West Palm Beach, FL last May, NBAA is again partnering with Aviation
Week to sponsor the magazine's upcoming VLJ West Management Forum in San Diego, CA, which will take place from November 27 to 28. The event will
be a continuation of the business models for VLJs and light jets discussion, and feature industry experts and speakers, including NBAA's Steve Brown,
senior vice president, operations. Presentations will address infrastructure, financing, insurance and distribution technology. For more information,
or to register, visit:
http://www.aviationweek.com/forums/vljwmain.htm
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Business Aviation Supports California
Firefighting Efforts
The massive firefighting campaign needed to contain the wildfires that wreaked destruction across several Southern California counties last week have
received support from a network of general aviation airports and small businesses. For instance, in San Diego County, firecrews have been fueled, fed
and lodged at Gillespie Field (SEE), home to the Golden State Flying Club, and also at Ramona Airport (RNM), where Pacific Executive Aviation has
maintained a 24/7 vigil to fuel air tankers and spotters and "whatever else is needed" during the fire disaster, said Jaye Matthews, president of the
FBO. To read more about GA support in this emergency, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/about/charities/care/sandiego2007.php
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NBAA Congratulates Bonnie Hathcock, HR Executive of the
Year
NBAA Board Member Bonnie Hathcock, a Humana, Inc. executive, has been named HR Executive magazine's 2007 HR Executive of the Year. The award
recognizes human resources leaders who have made outstanding contributions to their organizations and exemplify the increasingly strategic nature of
the profession. "NBAA congratulates Bonnie on this well-deserved recognition," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. To read the magazine's profile
of Hathcock, visit:
http://www.hreonline.com/HRE/story.jsp?storyId=38392083
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NBAA Scholarships Deadline This Week; Last Chance to Apply
Application deadlines for the Donald A. Baldwin Sr. Business Aviation Management Scholarship, the Corporate Aviation Management Scholarship and the
UAA Janice K. Barden Aviation Scholarship are November 1. Individuals wishing to become NBAA Certified Aviation Managers may apply for financial
support through the Baldwin Scholarship. Recipients of the Corporate Aviation Management Scholarship will be awarded $850 to attend the NBAA
Leadership Conference in February, and the Barden Scholarship will award $5,000 to five undergraduates studying aviation-related curricula. To apply,
or for more information, contact NBAA's Jay Evans at jevans@nbaa.org, or download applications at:
http://www.nbaa.org/scholarships
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New NBAA Schedulers Professional Development Program
Courses Approved
NBAA, in coordination with the Schedulers & Dispatchers Committee, has announced the approval of two new Schedulers Professional Development Program
(SPDP) courses, which are being offered by two different educational providers. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) is offering "Introduction
to Meteorology," which is available online. ERAU can be contacted directly by those wishing to sign up. The second course, "Basic Principles of
Weather and Aircraft Performance," is being offered by Universal Weather and Aviation, Inc. This course is available only in a classroom format, and
can be scheduled through Universal Weather and Aviation, Inc. For more information about NBAA's SPDP, contact NBAA's Jay Evans at jevans@nbaa.org, or visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/news/pr/2007/20071029-079.php
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CARE Volunteer Deadline Is Oct. 31
Corporate Aviation Responding to Emergencies (CARE) is a volunteer organization that coordinates immediate business aviation air support in times of
national emergencies that merit private-sector intervention. CARE is working with NBAA, through its Schedulers & Dispatchers Committee, to
formally organize this effort. NBAA Members are invited to sign up for CARE, and all forms must be submitted by October 31. For details, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/care
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2008 Regional Forum Speaker Proposals Due Oct. 31
NBAA's Business Aviation Regional Forums bring business aircraft owners, operators, manufacturers, customers and other industry personnel together
for a one-day event featuring educational sessions, exhibits and static aircraft. NBAA Members are encouraged to submit speaking proposals by October
31 for relevant and timely 45-minute training sessions to be conducted during the 2008 Regional Forums. Topics covering safety, flight department
management, regulatory, tax and other operational best practices are of significant interest. To download the request for speakers, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/rfp
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Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference Still Accepting Sponsors,
Exhibitors
NBAA's 19th Annual Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference is still accepting sponsorships and Exhibitor booth space applications. The Conference
will be held from January 29 to February 1, 2008 at the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center in Georgia. NBAA expects over 2,400 to
attend the Conference, and 350 Exhibitors have already registered. The event provides a forum for schedulers and dispatchers from across the country
to meet, network and share industry best practices. A number of sessions will address current needs and issues for the profession. For more
information, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/events/sdc/2008
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Business Aviation Regional Forum
November 8, 2007, Oakland, CA
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IS-BAO Implementation Workshop
November 9, 2007, Oakland, CA
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SPDP Course: International Scheduling
November 9, 2007, Savannah, GA
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SPDP Course: Weather and Aircraft Performance
January 28, 2008, Savannah, GA
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SPDP Course: Resource Management for Aviation Leaders
January 28–29, 2008, Savannah, GA
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19th Annual Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference
January 29–February 1, 2008, Savannah, GA
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SPDP Course: Aviation Security for the Business Aviation Flight Department
January 29, 2008, Savannah, GA
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SPDP Course: Building a Higher Performance Flight Department Team
January 29, 2008, Savannah, GA
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3rd Annual Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (ABACE2008)
February 14, 2008, Hong Kong
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Regulatory Hot Topics Seminar
February 22, 2008, Fort Lauderdale, FL
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PDP Course: Flight Department Finance and Budget Accounting
February 26, 2008, San Antonio, TX
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Leadership Conference
February 27 – 28, 2008, San Antonio, TX
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Certified Aviation Manager Exam
February 29, 2008, San Antonio, TX
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35th Annual International Operators Conference
March 10 – 13, 2008, San Antonio, TX
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Business Aviation Regional Forum
March 27, 2008, San Antonio, TX
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IS-BAO Implementation Workshop
March 28, 2008, San Antonio, TX
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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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