NBAA Welcomes Rep. Costello's Renewed Call Against User Fees
NBAA welcomed a recent call from Rep. Jerry Costello (D-12-IL) to President Barack Obama to keep user fees out of the Administration's fiscal year 2012 budget. On January 7, Costello, who serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, issued a statement urging President Obama not to include general aviation user fees in the upcoming budget. "We want to reiterate that a user fee proposal would be a step backward," said Costello. Read the full press release.

NBAA Meeting With New Congress – Help Amplify the Message
The 112th Congress was sworn in last week with nearly 100 new members, and NBAA has been meeting with freshman senators and representatives to discuss the value of business aviation in their districts and states. NBAA staff will be working closely with the leadership of the House and Senate General Aviation Caucuses, which were formed in 2009. NBAA encourages Members to use the Association’s Contact Congress resource and send a letter to their elected representatives, which highlights the value business aviation brings to citizens, companies and communities. Learn how.

FAA Issues New Interpretation on Personal Use Reimbursement
Last year, NBAA asked the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to reconsider a long-standing legal interpretation regarding reimbursement for personal flights, and in December, the agency issued a modified interpretation that will have the effect of allowing some companies up to full-cost reimbursement for personal trips. NBAA asserted that certain key personnel are so important to a company that they could be called back on a moment's notice – even during personal trips – so that their travel on the company aircraft should be treated by the FAA as "within the scope of and incidental to the business" of the company operating the aircraft. With some caveats, the FAA agrees with this position. NBAA is developing a resource for Members explaining the steps that must be taken before reimbursement is made. View NBAA's request for the interpretation and FAA's response.

NBAA Corrects The Atlantic's Mischaracterization of GA Security
When The Atlantic Monthly magazine published a recent story calling business airplanes a "public menace" because of their alleged security vulnerabilities, NBAA was quick to respond. "Your story will certainly grab readers’ attention, with its sensationalist characterization of security for general aviation," NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen said in a letter to the magazine. "But readers deserve to know that a host of initiatives to harden general aviation against terrorist threats have long since been welcomed by industry, put into place, and are well understood by Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials." Read the full letter online.

NBAA Weighs In at Government Meeting on SMS
Although it appears the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is years away from seriously considering whether mandating Safety Management Systems makes sense for business aviation, NBAA has made one point clear: any SMS proposal must not unduly burden business aviation flight operations. That was the message NBAA delivered when officials with the Small Business Administration held a roundtable meeting of aviation interests on January 7 in Washington, D.C. to discuss SMS. Hear more about NBAA's discussions with government officials in this week’s edition of the NBAA Flight Plan podcast. Learn more about this issue.

In 2011, All Industry Voices Essential to No Plane No Gain
Reporting on the achievements of the industry’s No Plane No Gain campaign, Mike Nichols, NBAA vice president, operations, education and economics, told aviation attorneys and insurers last week that their participation remains vital to educating policymakers and opinion leaders about the value of business aviation to citizens, companies and communities across the U.S. “We’re committed to keeping the people of the industry involved, because they’re the lifeblood of this campaign,” said Nichols. Learn more.

De-icing Dollars and Sense – NBAA Has the Story
At this time of year, ice and snow are of particular concern for those who rely on an aircraft for business, especially during takeoffs and landings. "Even the smallest amounts of contamination can degrade an airplane's performance and take it outside the known performance envelope," notes Doug Carr, NBAA vice president of safety, security and regulation. Anticipating the need for de-icing, and understanding the procedures that likely will involve your aircraft, can help you budget for your de-icing needs in the winter months. Learn more.

What’s the Outlook for EU-ETS in 2011?
While no provisions affecting aviation in the European Union's Emissions Trading Scheme (EU-ETS) are scheduled to take effect in 2011, several key developments this year will affect what shape – if any – the scheme takes in 2012. NBAA is actively participating in negotiations on climate change through the International Civil Aviation Organization. "We’re also…involved in domestic U.S. policymaking on emissions in Congress and at the Environmental Protection Agency," said Steve Brown, NBAA senior vice president of operations and administration. Learn more.

UK VAT Changes: Status Update
Last week, the NBAA Tax Committee held a call with experts in the United Kingdom to discuss changes to value added tax (VAT) policies. As of January 1, aircraft over 8,000 kilograms (17,635 pounds) maximum takeoff weight are no longer eligible for a zero VAT rating using the prior importation policy. Although this is a major policy change, operators still have a number of options to manage VAT issues and avoid facing an assessment of VAT on the value of the aircraft. The temporary admission process for aircraft remains in effect and there is a new importation process that certain operators may be able to utilize. Learn more.

ABACE2012 Web Site Features Videos, News and More
The web site for the 2012 Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (ABACE) is now available, featuring a video overview with NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. "The show will feature all of the latest aviation aircraft and products," Bolen says in the video. "In fact, we’ve already received strong endorsements from all of the major exhibiting companies." The show will be held from February 28 to March 1, 2012, at Shanghai's Hongqiao Airport. NBAA and the Asian Business Aviation Association (AsBAA) announced plans for ABACE2012 at NBAA's Convention last October. View the video and learn more.

NJ Assemblyman Building Support for Business Aviation
New Jersey State Assemblyman John F. Amodeo, (R-2-NJ) recently penned a letter to his colleagues seeking support for a legislative coalition (not a caucus) supporting aviation in New Jersey. "Aviation is a critical industry in New Jersey and aviation issues are important to our constituents," wrote Amodeo. NBAA commends the assemblyman, who has worked closely with the New Jersey Aviation Association (NJAA) in advocating for aviation in his state. For more information, contact NBAA's Dean Saucier at dsaucier@nbaa.org.

Boca Raton Regional Forum Kicks Off 2011 Schedule
NBAA's first Business Aviation Regional Forum in 2011 will be held next month in Boca Raton, FL on February 17. NBAA's Business Aviation Regional Forums are day-long learning and peer-networking venues that bring together local aircraft owners, operators, manufacturers and customers. Later in the year, NBAA will hold Regional Forums in Dallas, TX on April 14; White Plains, NY on June 8; and San Jose, CA on July 14. Companies interested in exhibiting and sponsorships can learn more.

Regional Group Leaders: How Can NBAA Better Support You?
To continue offering effective resources that support regional groups, NBAA and the Network of Regional Business Aviation Associations (NORBAA) need feedback and suggestions for 2011 from regional group leaders. The associations have developed a Regional Group Leadership Survey to gauge interest in future webinars, networking sessions and other resources. The survey deadline is this Friday, January 14. Contact NBAA's Kristi Ivey at kivey@nbaa.org with any questions. Take the survey now.

Apply Now for NBAA Flying Safety Awards
Applications for NBAA's 2011 Flying Safety Awards are currently being mailed and all operating Members are encouraged to apply to be recognized for their records of safe flying. These annual awards are endorsed by the National Safety Council and recognize years and hours of accident-free service through 2010, attesting to the professionalism of a company's management, maintenance, pilot and support teams. Award rules and application forms are also available online. Learn more and apply now.

Gavigan to Receive Leadership Award at S&D Conference
The 2011 Schedulers & Dispatchers (S&D) Outstanding Achievement & Leadership Award will be presented to Wendi Gavigan, vice president and manager of flight operations for Citigroup Corporate Aviation, at this year's S&D Conference. The award recognizes professionals who have exhibited leadership and made significant contributions to the scheduling and dispatching function. Gavigan leads a team that provides all travel arrangements for a flight department with 80 percent international destinations. The S&D Conference will be held from February 9 to 11 in Savannah, GA. Read the press release.

Join NBAA's Schedulers & Dispatchers Committee
NBAA's S&D Committee is accepting applications for new members from now until February 18. Experienced individuals interested in sharing their ideas for advancing the scheduler and dispatcher profession are encouraged to apply. More information about the S&D Committee and a downloadable version of the NBAA standing committee application are available online. Learn more.

NBAA Offices to Close for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
The NBAA offices will be closed on Monday, January 17, for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday. The offices will reopen on Tuesday.