NBAA Update Archive

NBAA Update #10-07
Monday, February 15, 2010

NBAA Update is the National Business Aviation Association's weekly e-newsletter providing a synopsis of the latest operational, regulatory and legislative news for the business aviation community, as well as information about NBAA activities, Member benefits and upcoming industry events. Subscribe for free or review the archives at www.nbaa.org/update.

BUSINESS AVIATION NEWS & ISSUES

Senate Could Resume FAA Reauthorization Debate Next Month
As reported in several newspapers last week, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) recently committed to a week of floor time in March to debate reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). NBAA and the rest of the general aviation community have continually advocated for FAA reauthorization and aviation system modernization, and have long supported Congressional modernization proposals to adjust fuel taxes from 22 to 36 cents-per-gallon to help fund system transformation, while wisely avoiding the creation of a giant, expensive and overly burdensome user fee bureaucracy. To learn more about NBAA's position on FAA reauthorization, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/advocacy/issues/modernization

NBAA Thanks Retiring Rep. Ehlers for Championing Business Aviation
Last week, NBAA saluted Rep. Vernon Ehlers (R-3-MI) for a Congressional career marked by steadfast support for the business aviation community. NBAA's comments came on the heels of the Rep. Ehlers' February 10 announcement that the Congressman would retire at the conclusion of his current term in office. "Representative Ehlers has been an aviation enthusiast all his life, and in Congress he has been an outstanding advocate for the industry," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. Read more about Ehlers’ retirement and review NBAA’s statement at:
http://www.nbaa.org/news/pr/2010/20100211-012.php

Flying to Vancouver Olympics? New Audio Briefing Can Help
To help those planning to fly to Vancouver for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, NBAA has produced a new On-Demand Education resource focused on airspace, airport access and security issues. The 30-minute audio briefing and accompanying slide presentation features discussions by Steve Whynott of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Jennifer Holmes of the Vancouver International Airport Authority and Bill Boucher of the Canadian Business Aviation Association. To hear the audio briefing, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/olympics

Webinar Explains Latest Rules for Flying Federal Candidates
New rules from the Federal Election Commission (FEC) governing the carriage of federal political candidates went into effect last month, which apply to federal candidates, campaign members, security personnel, media representatives, authorized committees, and leadership of Political Action Committees for federal political candidates. A new article prepared for NBAA Members explains the potential impact of the requirements on business aircraft owners and operators who transport elected officials. The new FEC rules, as well as recent changes to House and Senate Ethics rules, and their interplay with Federal Aviation Regulations, will be covered in a new NBAA webinar offered Thursday, February 18th. To review the article and learn more about the webinar, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/admin/policies/carriage

EBACE2010 Participants: Beware of Unauthorized Solicitations
In recent weeks, EBACE2010 Exhibitors may have received a letter and form from Construct Data Publishers, a.s., requesting that Exhibitors update listings for the "Exhibitors Directory for Fairs & Exhibitions." This is not an official EBACE publication, and the company has no affiliation with EBACE, EBAA or NBAA; by completing these forms, Exhibitors are agreeing to place paid listings in the directory. The official show guide for EBACE2010 is the "EBACE2010 Show Guide & Directory of Exhibiting Companies." Similarly, be advised that HH Events is the exclusive housing company for EBACE2010, and Exhibitors and Attendees should be wary of other companies making the same claim. For more information about official EBACE Vendors, contact NBAA’s Linda Peters at lpeters@nbaa.org, Margie Morgan at mmorgan@nbaa.org or Joe Hart at jhart@nbaa.org.

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REGIONAL NEWS

Grassroots Action Key in Opposing WA State Tax Proposal
As Washington state lawmakers considered a bill to hike taxes on aircraft, leaders in the local aviation community, including representatives with NBAA Member companies, convened in the capital in opposition to the measure. The proposal, HB3176 – considered in a Saturday hearing by the Finance Committee in Washington State's House of Representatives – proposes a .5-percent excise tax on aircraft. NBAA Northwest Regional Representative Kristi Ivey detailed the positive economic effect that business aviation has on the state. For the moment, the issue remains unresolved, as the committee declined to vote on the measure. Ivey said NBAA Members now need to make their voices heard with Governor Gregoire's office. "Now is the time for NBAA members to respectfully advise the governor's staff of the business aviation community's opposition to the proposed tax," Ivey said. To read a web article on the full story, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/advocacy/regional/20100215-wa-aircraft-tax.php

Kansas Joins Other States in Recognizing Business Aviation Value
In recent months, several state and local government officials, including those in West Virginia, Georgia and Kentucky, have issued statements recognizing the value of all aviation, including business aviation, to economic development. Last week, Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson proclaimed February "Aviation Appreciation Month," speaking at an event in Wichita, known as "The Air Capital of the World." Read the Wichita Eagle's account of the event at:
http://www.kansas.com/business/aviation/story/1175936.html

South Florida Meeting Is Tomorrow
The South Florida Business Aviation Association invites airplane owners and business aviation senior flight department managers to breakfast at the Jet Runway Cafe, on Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE) on February 16 at 9:00 a.m. The event is sponsored by Honeywell. Please RSVP to Jerry Gemma at jgemma@proguardair.com, or contact NBAA's Harry Houckes at hhouckes@nbaa.org.

Tampa Bay Luncheon Meeting Set for Tomorrow
The Tampa Bay Aviation Association will hold a luncheon meeting at Signature Flight Support on Tampa International Airport (TPA) at 11:30 a.m. on February 16. Lunch sponsors include Primo's Catering and Tampa International Jet Center. During lunch, Primo's will provide a short presentation on its services. Please RSVP to Vic Slacter at vicslacter@outback.com or contact NBAA's Harry Houckes at hhouckes@nbaa.org.

Register for Pacific Northwest Group's Annual Safety Event
The Pacific Northwest Business Aviation Association (PNBAA) will host its second annual one-day safety event on March 4 at Seattle's Museum of Flight on King County International Airport (BFI). Speakers include National Test Pilot Schools founder Sean Roberts, former National Transportation Safety Board investigator Greg Feith, Bob Agostino, the "father of the Safety Standdown" and aviation safety analyst John Nance. For further information, contact NBAA's Kristi Ivey at kivey@nbaa.org or visit:
http://www.pnbaasafetyevent.com

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NBAA NEWS

NBAA Chairman to Keynote Maintenance Management Conference
NBAA’s Maintenance Management Conference, which this year marks its 25th Anniversary, is the only dedicated venue for decision-makers who manage business aircraft maintenance. Themed "Increasing Value Through Proper Asset Management," the event will be held from April 6 to 8 in San Diego, CA, and will focus on leadership team management, business management, compliance management and new technologies. The opening-day keynote presentation will be made by NBAA Chairman Pat Cunningham, director of aviation for PepsiCo Inc., who will address from his own experience the best way to prepare for career opportunities. For more information, to review the agenda and to register, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/mmc

NBAA Creates New Director Position, Seeks Candidates
NBAA seeks to fill a Director-level position responsible for coordinating sales and other revenue for the Association's events, products and services, and also for creating strategic sales plans across all Divisions of the organization. This position will also oversee Static Display activities at NBAA events. For more information and a detailed job description, e-mail NBAA's Human Resources Division at hr@nbaa.org or visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/about/jobs

SMS Workshops to be Held at NTSB Next Month
The use of Safety Management Systems (SMS) by business aircraft operators is an important part of the safety strategy for business aviation. NBAA has partnered with ARGUS International to offer two SMS workshops at the National Transportation Safety Board Training Academy near Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) next month. The first workshop, offered March 2-3, will cover the basics of aviation safety and offer an in-depth look at SMS concepts. The second workshop, offered on March 4, will address the SMS implementation process detailed in the Toolkit developed by the International Business Aviation Council. To learn more about these workshops, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/events/sms/201003

NBAA Presidents Day Office Closure
In observance of the federal Presidents Day holiday, the Association's offices will be closed on Monday, February 15, and will reopen at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 16.

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