| Business Aviation News & Issues |
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With Business Aviation in the Spotlight, NBAA Advocates for Industry
Last week, as national media outlets returned their focus to use of business aviation by the nation’s auto companies, NBAA spoke with dozens of reporters to correct
mischaracterizations of the industry and remind news organizations of the many reasons that thousands all across the U.S. look to business aviation as a solution to their
transportation needs, especially in a challenging economy. A letter sent from NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen to Members last week outlines the Association’s efforts, which
included outreach to such news organizations as CBS News, USA Today, National Public Radio, the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times, the Associated Press,
Business Week magazine and many others. To review a copy of Bolen’s letter, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/membership/letters/2008/bolen20081204.php
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NBAA Makes Media Briefing Resources Available to Members
While NBAA’s professional staff reached out to print, television, radio and Internet news organizations last week, the Association also made resources available to help Members
respond to negative coverage about business aviation in their local areas. The resources include media “backgrounders,” a list of questions NBAA received most often from reporters
(and the Association’s answers) and studies commissioned by NBAA explaining the value of business aviation to companies and their shareholders. Members may utilize these resources
as they craft their comments and responses. To view these resources, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/news/backgrounders
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NBAA to Participate in Washington Security Forum
NBAA will join several other aviation industry leaders at a “Security Summit” being held in Washington this week. The panel forum, which is hosted by the American Association of
Airport Executives, comes as the business aviation community is expressing strong reservations about the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA’s) proposed Large Aircraft
Security Program (LASP), introduced earlier this year. The LASP is sure to be among the issues discussed by Doug Carr, NBAA Vice President for Safety, Security and Regulations,
who will participate in the panel forum. NBAA continues to express its concerns about the LASP to federal security officials, and the Association has provided a number of
resources online to help ensure that the voice of the industry is heard on the issue. To access NBAA’s TSA LASP resources, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/ops/security/programs/lasp
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Obama Nominates Arizona Governor for Top DHS Post
Upon President-elect Barack Obama’s recent nomination of Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano as Secretary for the Department of Homeland Security, NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen
issued the following statement: “NBAA congratulates governor Napolitano on her nomination by President-elect Obama as Department of Homeland Security Secretary. We will continue
working with her and others at the DHS to pursue security policies that take into account the steps the industry has taken in recent years to harden itself from terrorist attacks,
and recognize the importance of both security and mobility.” To review the web site resources that NBAA has made available to policymakers on the industry’s security record,
visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/advocacy/issues/security
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IRS Publishes 2009 Aviation Excise Tax Rates
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has published 2009 inflation adjustments to excise taxes on commercial air transportation. For calendar year 2009, the domestic segment fee will
be $3.60; the international arrival/departure tax will be $16.10; and the tax for Hawaii and Alaska flights (which applies only to departures) will be $8.00. The IRS did not
modify the 7.5 percent tax that applies to the amount paid for domestic commercial air transportation. These tax rates are applicable until March 31, 2009, to coincide with the
pending Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization. At that time, Congress will have an opportunity to extend or modify these rates. To view NBAA’s excise tax resources
and the updated IRS Revenue Procedure Form, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/admin/taxes/federal/fet
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NBAA Announces 2009 Call for Speakers
NBAA’s Annual Meeting & Convention and Business Aviation Regional Forums offer the aviation community a wide range of valuable education sessions on current industry topics,
in addition to indoor exhibits and static displays of aircraft. NBAA is pleased to announce its 2009 Call for Speakers for education sessions throughout the year. NBAA welcomes
proposals for presentations on topics such as safety and risk management, maintenance and technical issues, airspace and airport access, aircraft and flight operations, aviation
management, aircraft ownership and career and leadership development. Proposals are due to NBAA by January 15. For more information and to view the call for speakers form,
visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/about/rfp
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NBAA Comments on VNY Stage 2 Phase-Out Proposal
NBAA filed comments in response to a proposal by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) to implement a seven-year phase-out of Stage 2 (and some hush-kitted Stage 3) aircraft at Van
Nuys Airport (VNY). LAWA asserted that the phase-out, which originally was proposed in 1990, was “grandfathered” by federal law and could be implemented without FAA review or
approval. In its comments, NBAA acknowledged that the federal Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990 (ANCA) exempted from FAA scrutiny some restrictions that had been proposed
before its adoption, but asserted that ANCA was not intended to sanction an 18-year break in continuity between the proposal and adoption of restrictions. To view NBAA’s comments,
visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/ops/airports/vny
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North Texas Business Aviation Association to Discuss New TSA Security Proposal
The North Texas Business Aviation Association (NTBAA) will hold a forum on the TSA’s Large Aircraft Security Program Notice of Proposed Rule Making this Tuesday, December 9. The
meeting will focus on the concerns raised about the potential impact of the new security requirements on individuals in the industry and on the airports that serve aircraft
affected by the NPRM. The meeting will be held from 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Dallas/Fort Worth Marriott South, located at 4151 Centreport Boulevard in Fort Worth, TX. For
more information, contact NTBAA President Marj DeLong at mdelong@market-lift.com or NBAA’s Steve Hadley at shadley@nbaa.org.
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New Preferred RNAV Arrival Routes Announced for Southwest FL Airports
Operators are encouraged to file new preferred Area Navigation (RNAV) arrivals to the Southwest Florida airports of Fort Myers Page Field (FMY), Southwest Florida International
(RSW), Naples Municipal (APF) and Marco Island (MKY). The new preferred over water route from the Northeast is the SHFTY1 RNAV STAR (Standard Terminal Arrival Route) via the AR15
HIBAC transition. The alternate inland route is the SHFTY1 RNAV STAR via the J75 DUNKN transition. These new routes save operators 20 to 40 miles as compared to the old routes.
For more information, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/ops/airspace/regional/southeast/florida
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FAA Testing Reduced Wattage of New York VOLMET Station
The FAA is conducting a test on the New York high frequency VOLMET station, which broadcasts meteorological information to aircraft in flight over the Atlantic Ocean. During the
test, which will run until December 20, the wattage of the New York VOLMET station will be reduced from 5,000 watts to 1,000 watts on all four of the VOLMET station’s frequencies.
General aviation operators flying in the North Atlantic airspace are requested to provide feedback on the signal strength of the broadcast to NBAA using the FAA’s VOLMET testing
form. Completed forms should be sent to NBAA’s Mark Larsen by email to mlarsen@nbaa.org or by fax to (202) 478-0035. To download the FAA’s
VOLMET testing form, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/ops/intl/nat/2008-volmet-test.php
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MAC Announces Appointment of New Executive Director
The Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission (MAC) has announced the appointment of Christopher Willenborg as Executive Director. For the past eight years, Willenborg has been Airport
Manager for the Westfield-Barnes Airport (KBAF) in Westfield, MA. MAC Transportation Secretary Bernard Cohen praised Willenborg’s selection, saying, “Christopher Willenborg
clearly has both solid and relevant academic credentials and a deep understanding of general aviation issues in the Commonwealth.” Willenborg also served for three years as
president of the Massachusetts Airport Management Association, and holds a bachelor’s degree in aviation business administration from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in
Florida. MAC is the Massachusetts’ transportation agency that oversees 37 public-use airports, of which 24 are publicly owned, and 13 privately owned; two seaplane bases, and 184
private-use landing areas. MAC is responsible for airport development and improvements in the region, aviation safety, aircraft accident investigation, navigational aids, and
statewide aviation planning.
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January S&D Conference Will Feature Wide Array of Education Sessions
NBAA’s 20th Annual Schedulers and Dispatchers (S&D) Conference is just a few short weeks away, and is the premier venue for professional networking and educational
opportunities for schedulers and dispatchers from the cutting edge of the industry. Education sessions will be led by top figures from across the industry, and address the latest
trends and issues relevant to schedulers and dispatchers. For example, a session entitled “Communicating with Aircraft in Flight” will cover the communication and productivity
benefits of latest advances in aviation technology and services. Another session, “Dispatch Resource Management,” will address resource management issues fundamental to safe
flight, including human factors awareness. Other sessions will cover fuel saving tools, green initiatives, management, communications and much more. The conference will be held
from January 13 to 16 at the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center in California. To view the complete agenda, and to register to attend, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/events/sdc/2009/agenda
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NBAA Seeking Feedback on Redesigned Web Site
On December 1, NBAA launched the new www.nbaa.org, providing the same great resources with a completely revised look and navigation. The redesigned web site features landing pages
for Members, Exhibitors and others; drop-down menus on the home page; and a new search engine powered by Google. The response from NBAA Members has been overwhelmingly positive,
and NBAA welcomes additional feedback on the new site from Members. To share opinions about the new www.nbaa.org, e-mail NBAA’s Jason Wolf at jwolf@nbaa.org. To access NBAA’s new web site, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org
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Latest Issue of Business Aviation Insider Now Online
The November/December issue of Business Aviation Insider, NBAA’s official Member publication, is now available online. In this issue, sponsored by Universal Weather and
Aviation, Inc., NBAA Member Sklar Exploration Company is profiled on its use of business airplanes for natural resource exploration. The issue also contains a message from NBAA
President and CEO Ed Bolen detailing NBAA’s response to the TSA’s new security proposal; an introduction to the new NBAA web site; information on the appointment of two new
additions to the Association’s Board of Directors; announcements about NBAA upcoming events, including NBAA’s 20th Annual Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference; and more. The
issue has been shipped, and Members should receive their issues in the mail soon, if they haven’t already. To review the issue online now, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/insider
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Fall 2008 NBAA Navigator now Online, Reviews Holiday Airspace Issues
The Fall 2008 edition of NBAA Navigator, which is being mailed to NBAA Member operators today, features airspace updates for the upcoming holiday travel season. The issue
focuses on runway construction at Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (LAS) and provides information on the FAA’s Traffic Flow Management (TFM) Learning Center, the GAAP
ground delay program, holiday airspace initiatives, the Florida West Coast Airspace Redesign (FLOWCAR) and tips for operators heading south this winter. Members may currently view
the fall issue online, at:
http://www.nbaa.org/ops/airspace/navigator
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NBAA Will Offer Two PDP Courses in Savannah, GA, Jan. 26–29
NBAA is offering two Professional Development Program (PDP) Courses next month in Savannah, GA at the Hilton Savannah Desoto hotel. The NBAA Flight Operations Manual Workshop will run from January 26 to 27. This interactive workshop now incorporates the standards for International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) compliance. The NBAA Management Fundamentals for Flight Departments Workshop will be offered from January 28 to 29.
This workshop provides flight department managers with key information about safe operations, regulatory compliance, budgeting and accounting, vendor selection, personnel
management and other issues. For more information, contact NBAA’s Sandy Wirtz at swirtz@nbaa.org. To view a schedule of PDP courses offered in
2009, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/events/pdp
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PDP Course: Scheduling and Dispatch Function
January 12, 2009, Long Beach, CA
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PDP Course: Highly Effective Teams at Work
January 12, 2009, Long Beach, CA
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PDP Course: Human Factors
January 12–13, 2009, Long Beach, CA
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SPDP Course: International Operations
January 13, 2009, Long Beach, CA
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PDP Course: Finance and Budget Accounting
January 13, 2009, Long Beach, CA
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NBAA 20th Annual Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference
January 14–16, 2009, Long Beach, CA
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International Standard-Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) Course
February 10, 2009, Hong Kong
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2009 NBAA Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (ABACE2009)
February 11–12, 2009, Hong Kong
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PDP Course: Capitalize on Human Resources
February 17, 2009, New Orleans, LA
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NBAA Leadership Conference
February 18–19, 2009, New Orleans, LA
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NBAA Light Business Airplane Exhibition & Conference
March 12–14, 2009, San Diego, CA
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36th Annual International Operators Conference
March 30 – April 2, 2009, San Diego, CA
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PDP Course: Aviation Security
April 3, 2009, San Diego, CA
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Review the Full NBAA Events Calendar
http://www.nbaa.org/events
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