White House, Congress Plan for FAA Reauthorization Without User Fees
Following the Obama Administration's release of its fiscal year (FY) 2012 budget last week, NBAA said the proposal strengthens the national aviation system and preserves funding for small and mid-size airports without imposing new, onerous user fees. The president's proposal comes as the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved a multi-year FAA reauthorization. In the Senate, final approval was given to its FAA legislation last Thursday. Both bills would fund aviation system modernization without imposing user fees. "We're encouraged that the proposals we've seen so far, including the president's FY2012 budget, reflect an understanding of the value and priorities of business aviation," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. Read more.

NBAA Continues to Respond to DOT's BARR Program Concerns
As previously reported, the Department of Transportation (DOT) is reviewing the Block Aircraft Registration Request (BARR) program, and as part of that review, the Association was given an opportunity to gather and provide information to the DOT by last Tuesday, February 15. Upon the completion of that effort, the DOT informed NBAA that, prior to making any decision to limit eligibility for the BARR program, it will issue a notice inviting interested persons to submit comments on such limitations. NBAA will immediately forward that notice to Members as soon as it becomes available. Learn more about the BARR program and read NBAA's recent statement on the matter.

FAA Requests Operators File ICAO Flight Plans
In order to take full advantage of RNAV equipment and routings, the FAA has asked NBAA to emphasize the importance of properly filing ICAO flight plans. This will allow the automatic assignment of RNAV Standard Instrument Departures (SID), Standard Terminal Arrivals (STAR) and preferential routes, based on the airborne equipment (field 10) and capabilities (field 18, other information) filed in an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Filed Flight Plan (FPL). This not only benefits controllers by reducing their workload but also insures operators are able to use the many new RNAV procedures that have been published over the past few years. Learn more.

NBAA, Other GA Groups Hear From House General Aviation Caucus
At a recent event on Capitol Hill, leaders of the General Aviation (GA) Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives described plans for growing the membership of the group. Rep. Sam Graves (R-6-MO), co-chair of the House GA Caucus, said: "We have a goal of having 218 members in this caucus," in the 112th Congress, a total higher than that for the previous Congress. NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen and other Association representatives were in attendance at the event. Learn more.

Special Publication Highlights No Plane No Gain Progress, Achievements
This month marks the two-year anniversary since NBAA and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association unveiled a comprehensive advocacy campaign with a familiar name: "No Plane No Gain." The program, which has been backed by dedicated financial resources from the two associations, has had one central objective: make clear to policymakers and opinion leaders the many ways business aviation is essential in America today. To highlight the campaign's progress and achievements, NBAA has published and mailed to all Member subscribers a "Special Advocacy Supplement" to the Association's bimonthly publication, Business Aviation Insider. Review the supplement online.

EMAS Enhancing Safety at Dozens of Airports
A growing number of airports are turning to an innovative solution to increase safety, while maintaining existing runway lengths. Engineered materials arresting systems (EMAS) may drastically reduce the risk to aircraft passengers, and those on the ground. With EMAS, the landing gear for an aircraft involved in a runway overrun simply sinks into a bed of crushable concrete blocks at the runway's end. The crushing motion slows the aircraft, and in many cases, completely stops it. Though the need for EMAS isn't frequent, operators have found it's a nice safety net to have. Learn more.

A SESAR Status Report
Europe's SESAR system for transforming a patchwork of 38 separate national air traffic control systems into one smoothly operating, efficient machine has been delayed because, says European Business Aviation Association COO Pedro Vicente Azur, "every country has its own distinct ideas on how an ATC system should be run." Where, exactly, do things stand on the work to develop the new system? NBAA has the story.

Notice to Operators Flying European Non-precision Approaches
In Europe, EU-OPS and other state regulations require that some non-precision approaches be flown using the continuous descent final approach (CDFA) technique. In support of these CDFA procedures, Jeppesen is replacing previously charted minimum descent altitude ("MDA(H)") minima with decision altitude ("DA(H)") minima on non-precision approach procedures. Unlike DA(H) minima published on an ILS, LNAV/VNAV or LPV procedure, the DA(H) minima for the subject non-precision approaches do not provide an allowance for momentary altitude loss during the transition to the missed approach climb. Therefore, when a DA(H) is shown on a non-precision approach chart, it is critical to safety that crews account for loss of altitude in order to avoid descent below the published DA(H). Learn more.

Nominations Welcome for 2011 European Business Aviation Award
The European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) and NBAA, the co-producers of the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE), are calling for nominations for the 2011 European Business Aviation Award. The award honors individuals and/or companies who have made a significant contribution to the advancement of business aviation in Europe, and is presented each year to one or more individuals and/or companies during EBACE, the only European exhibition focusing solely on business aviation. EBACE brings together business leaders, government officials, manufacturers, flight department personnel, indeed all those involved in every aspect of business aviation in the European region. It is held at the Geneva PALEXPO in Switzerland and takes place from May 17-19, 2010. Learn more, and read the rules to apply for the EBAA award.

NBAA's Florida Regional Forum Showcases Business Aviation's Value
A strong crowd of 1,236 Attendees at the Business Aviation Regional Forum on February 17 in Boca Raton, FL, proved the continuing value of the Association's Regional Forums to the business aviation community, and highlighted for local media outlets and elected officials the industry's important role in Florida's economy. Held at Boca Raton Airport (BCT), the event featured 70 Exhibitors on a sold-out exhibit floor and 19 static aircraft. The Boca Raton Regional Forum will be followed by similar local events in Dallas, TX, on April 14, White Plains, NY, on June 8 and San Jose, CA, on July 14. Learn more about upcoming Regional Forums, or review the Boca Raton Regional Forum results.

New at NBAA2011: Airplanes Displaying Directly Aside Exhibits
Making its debut at NBAA's 64th Annual Meeting & Convention (NBAA2011) in Las Vegas, NV from October 10 to 12 will be a new Outdoor Static Display area located immediately adjacent to the indoor exhibit area. "For the first time in the 64-year history of this event, we're going to have aircraft just steps away from the convention center," said NBAA Vice President, Exhibits Linda Peters. Applications to exhibit at the show, due February 28, are available at the official NBAA2011 web site, which is now live. Learn more about the new Outdoor Static Display.

Nomination Period Extended for NBAA's Two Highest Awards
The nominations deadline has been extended to March 18 for both the NBAA Meritorious Service to Aviation Award and the NBAA John P. "Jack" Doswell Award, two of NBAA's most distinguished honors. The Meritorious Service Award recognizes extraordinary lifelong professional contributions that have materially advanced aviation interests, and the Doswell Award honors high standards for lifelong individual achievement in support of business aviation. Learn more and submit your nominations.

Request for Proposals: On-Demand Education Provider
NBAA is evaluating future partnerships to assist in producing its On-Demand Education resources. NBAA's On-Demand Education offerings provide point-and-click access to the information business aviation professionals need to ascend in their careers, including webinars and presentations from NBAA conventions and seminars. NBAA has full details about the program on the On-Demand Education web page. Responses to this request for proposals (RFP) are due by Friday, March 25. For more information, contact NBAA's Jo Damato at jdamato@nbaa.org. Review the On-Demand Education RFP.

NBAA Offices to Close for Presidents' Day
The NBAA offices will be closed on Monday, February 21, for the Presidents' Day holiday. The offices will reopen on Tuesday.