NBAA Update Archive

NBAA Update #10-50
Monday, December 13, 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

Mica Selected Chairman of Key House Transportation Committee
Rep. John Mica (R-7-FL) was confirmed last week by the House Republican Conference as chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee when the 112th Congress convenes in January. The committee has jurisdiction over a range of issues, including those impacting aviation. For the previous two Congresses, Mica has served as the committee's ranking member; in that capacity, he has supported multi-year FAA reauthorization proposals that build upon fuel taxes for general aviation. "We congratulate Congressman Mica on his selection as chairman of the committee," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. "His door has always been open to everyone in aviation, and we look forward to continuing our work with him on proposals that advance aviation." To learn more about the legislative priorities for business aviation in the upcoming congressional session, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/advocacy/issues

NBAA Welcomes Plan to Expand Tax Benefits for Business Investments
The Association welcomes a legislative proposal, announced last week, providing tax benefits that would help preserve business aircraft manufacturing jobs, while allowing companies immediate access the benefits of business aircraft. "NBAA is pleased that the administration and congressional leaders are considering additional ways in which tax incentives can be applied to investments in strategic business assets, including aircraft," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. The tax proposal allows businesses 100-percent expensing of investments in new capital assets through December 31, 2011, retroactive from September 8, 2010, and a "bonus" depreciation allowance of 50 percent during 2012. A bonus depreciation extension through the end of 2010 has already been signed into law. For more information, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/news/pr/2010/20101213-095.php

NBAA: FAA's Aircraft Registry Not a Security Concern
When news organizations began to question whether outdated information in the FAA's aircraft registry might pose a security threat, NBAA quickly pointed out the host of security measures in place to protect business aviation from terrorist threats. News outlets began raising concerns last week after an Associated Press story inferred that the individuals could unlawfully use the outdated information to produce fake N-numbers for aircraft. NBAA spoke with national radio news networks, including ABC and CBS radio news, as well as local news outlets in a number of states. To learn more about security measures in business aviation, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/advocacy/issues/security

Businesses Aviation Helps Fight Cholera Epidemic in Haiti
Nearly 100 small and medium-size U.S. businesses are helping fight the cholera epidemic in Haiti, using company airplanes to deliver water filters and purification units directly to suffering Haitians in rural areas. Using the aircraft, volunteers can bypass time-consuming ground distribution procedures. "Businessmen and businesswomen with company airplanes make up most of our volunteers," said John Armstrong, chairman and president of Bahamas Habitat, which is helping coordinate the effort. Business aviation has long served as a lifeline to people and communities in crisis, and NBAA has a Humanitarian Emergency Response Operator (HERO) Database for companies wanting to volunteer aircraft and other assets for crisis response efforts. For more information and to register to be part of the HERO database, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/ops/hero/20101208-haiti-cholera-epidemic.php

Podcast: In 2010, It Was Clear – No Plane, No Gain
As the business aviation community began an economic recovery this year, NBAA and the industry continued to make progress in correcting misperceptions about business aviation through the No Plane, No Gain advocacy campaign. In the first of three year-in-review podcasts, this edition of the NBAA Flight Plan podcast looks at the campaign accomplishments that have been made through industry advocacy at the federal, state and local levels. Subscribe to Flight Plan on iTunes and receive new editions automatically, or listen any time at:
http://www.nbaa.org/flightplan

SATCOM Awaits ICAO Approval as Primary North Atlantic ATC Communication
While NBAA previously reported that SATCOM was approved as a primary means of communication when conducting flights in the North Atlantic (NAT) Region, it appears that this announcement was premature. The proposal making the necessary amendments has been circulated to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) member states and no objections have been registered, but final approval by the ICAO Council is still pending. NBAA will notify Members once final approval by the ICAO Council is granted. For more information, contact the NBAA Operations Service Group at info@nbaa.org.

Leadership Conference Speakers Announced, Registration Open
The Association is pleased to announce the following speakers for the NBAA 19th Annual Leadership Conference, which will be held on February 23 and 24 in San Diego, CA: Col. Mark Tillman, USAF (Ret.), who commanded Air Force One during 9/11; the legendary aerobatic pilot Sean D. Tucker; and world-class mountaineer and businessman Chris Warner, who scaled K2 in the Himalayas. These exemplary leaders will join renowned leadership expert and one of the top 25 best-selling authors of all time, Dr. Ken Blanchard, author of The One Minute Manager. The NBAA Leadership Conference features thought-provoking sessions focused on creative thinking, innovation and new models of collaboration, and is designed to give participants the tools needed in today's dynamic workplace. To learn more and register, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/leadership

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REGIONAL NEWS

California Fractional Tax Ruled Unconstitutional
An Orange County Superior Court judge has ruled that California's controversial fractional aircraft property tax law is unconstitutional. On November 30, Judge William Monroe held that the imposition of property tax on the managers of fractionally owned aircraft by California Senate Bill 87 (SB 87) is unconstitutional and unlawful. The judge gave two reasons for his ruling: The right SB 87 gives counties to collect taxes retroactivity for four years dating back to 2003 is overly broad, and the tax is unlawfully imposed on the fractional fleet managers when, as a matter of law, they do not own, control or possess the airplanes on which the tax is actually levied. For more information on this ruling, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/admin/taxes/state/ca

Jacksonville Airport Added to DASSP List
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced the addition of Jacksonville International Airport (JAX), in Jacksonville, FL, to the DCA Access Standard Security Program (DASSP), which allows certain general aviation aircraft to apply for access to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Flights granted access under the DASSP must be screened at an approved FBO on a gateway airport prior to arriving at DCA. In Jacksonville, the approved FBO will be Signature Flight Support. For more information, contact the NBAA Operations Service Group at info@nbaa.org or visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/ops/security/programs/dassp

Philadelphia Operators Unite to Address Regional Issues
Philadelphia-area based operators recently met to discuss the feasibility of organizing an aviation group to address issues and concerns of operators in the tri-state area of southern New Jersey, Philadelphia and northern Delaware. Attendees agreed to establish a formal group that would respond to local legislation affecting aviation, address local airspace and airport access issues, and work with other regional aviation organizations with similar interests. While a name for the organization has yet to be determined, the group plans to meet on a bimonthly basis. For more information, contact Bob Kerr at Kerr-Bob@Aramark.com or NBAA's Dean Saucier at dsaucier@nbaa.org.

Tomorrow's Bay-Area Meeting Includes SMS Overview
Aviation professionals are invited to join others from the Bay-area business aviation community for an organizational meeting and lunch on Tuesday, December 14. Michael Dworkin of Dworkin Associates will present an overview of options for companies to develop safety management systems. Lunch is at attendees' expense and will begin at 11:30 a.m. at Michael's at Shoreline, 2960 Shoreline Blvd. at the Shoreline Golf Course in Mountain View, CA. RSVP with John Swaney at john.swaney@hp.com, or for more information contact NBAA's Dan Burkhart at dburkhart@nbaa.org.

San Diego Event This Thursday, Dec. 16
Join the San Diego Regional Aviation Association (SDRAA) and Crownair in networking with the local aviation community, learning about upcoming events and membership benefits. Business aviation professionals in Southern California are invited attend to learn more at a reception Thursday, December 16, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Crownair hangar located at the Magellan facility, 2006 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad, CA. RSVP with SDRAA's Debi Carlston at debic@crownairaviation.com. For more information, contact NBAA's Dan Burkhart at dburkhart@nbaa.org.

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NBAA NEWS

Insider Has Guidance on Which FAR Your Company Should Operate Under
One of the most common questions for anyone new to business aviation is whether or not to operate under Part 91 or Part 135 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs). The distinction between these two parts of the FARs plays a central role in determining the ownership and operating structure for business aircraft. From operational issues to federal excise taxes, the decision whether to operate an aircraft under Part 91 or 135 will have far-reaching consequences. Learn about what makes the most sense for your operation in a Business Aviation Insider online extra, at:
http://www.nbaa.org/news/insider/2010/1110/flight-department.php

SMS Workshops Coming to Ft. Lauderdale, Houston
NBAA will host a two-and-a-half-day Safety Management System (SMS) Workshop in Fort Lauderdale, FL from January 12 to 14 and in Houston from January 25 to 27. Through interactive presentations and group exercises, attendees will be provided with details on the safety benefits and business case for developing an SMS. Guidance will also be provided on how to utilize the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) SMS Toolkit, which takes operators through the complete implementation process. For more information and to register online for either workshop, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/events/date

NBAA Recognizes Leadership in Flight Safety
Safety does not take a back seat in business aviation, and NBAA recognizes Member Companies for exceptional achievement in maintaining safe flying operations with the Association's Flying Safety Awards. These awards are more than a Member benefit; they are also testimony to the high degree of professionalism inherent in business aircraft operations, and a tribute to the skill of a company's management, maintenance, pilot and support personnel teams. The deadline to submit applications for the 2011 Flying Safety Awards is March 1, and there are a variety of awards. Learn more at:
http://www.nbaa.org/safetyawards

Webinar: Coordination Can Smooth Maintenance Management
On-condition maintenance programs, along with the increasing durability and reliability of aircraft and their systems, have reduced the amount of time that airplanes need to be down for servicing. However, aircraft still must periodically undergo time-consuming maintenance. "Dispatch is 'communication central' for the status of the aircraft and fuel loads," explains Marty Grier, senior manager of aircraft maintenance for The Home Depot. NBAA Maintenance Committee Chairman Brad Townsend of DuPont Aviation will moderate a live webinar of industry professionals discussing the importance of interdepartmental communication, this Thursday, December 16, at 2:00 p.m. EST. To register for the webinar, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/webinars/maintenance-communication

Call for Speakers: Flight Attendant/Flight Technician Conference
The NBAA Flight Attendants Committee is planning for the 16th Annual Flight Attendants/Flight Technicians Conference, to be held at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel in San Diego, CA from June 16 to 18, 2011. Speakers who would like to present during the conference to over 150 cabin safety professionals on topics related to the safety, security and service of the business aviation passengers are invited to contribute proposals. To contribute suggestions, contact NBAA's Jay Evans at jevans@nbaa.org or visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/rfp

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