Japan Earthquake: What Should You Know?
Last week's devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan have left in their wake a host of severe operational and logistical challenges in the area – not only for companies with business airplanes needing to move people and equipment to and from the region, but also for those who want to support humanitarian-relief efforts to help victims in the impacted cities and towns. NBAA's web site has a "Japan Crisis" resource that provides operational guidance regarding airports and airspace in Japan, as well as information about humanitarian efforts underway. The resource includes links to NBAA's Humanitarian Emergency Response Opertator (HERO) database, where people can register themselves and their aircraft in support of efforts to help the people of Japan. Learn more.

Three Major Business Groups Oppose BARR Changes
Some of the nation's largest business groups have written Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Randy Babbitt to register serious concerns about the government's plan to limit participation in the Block Aircraft Registration Request (BARR) program. "Privacy of movement is a fundamental American value," said the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers and the Business Roundtable in a letter sent to the FAA last week. Learn more about their concerns with the proposed BARR limitations.

Webinar Has Guidance for Commenting on Proposed BARR Limitations
With less than a month to act on the government's plan to severely limit participation in the BARR, NBAA will host a free webinar this Wednesday, March 16 at 3:00 p.m. ET to help Members weigh in on the proposed changes. Doug Carr, NBAA vice president, safety, security & regulation, will moderate a presentation by NBAA staff experts and legal counsel, who will answer questions on the proposal and explain how to send comments to the FAA through the government's public docket. Learn more and register for the webinar now.

FAA Provides Details on New RVSM Monitoring Requirements
In response to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, the FAA is planning to require aircraft approved for Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) operations to have their height-keeping performance monitored every two years. The monitoring requirements are expected to become effective on May 18, 2011, and operators will have until November 18, 2012, to comply. The North American Aircraft Registry and Monitoring Organization receives data from a variety of monitoring stations throughout the U.S. and Canada and essentially automates the process. Over 14,000 RVSM-approved aircraft have already been successfully monitored. Review NBAA's RVSM resources.

Changes in Magnetic North Are Impacting Aviation
Magnetic north is proving to be an increasingly moving target, and the impact can be seen at airports across the globe. At the moment, magnetic north is sliding across the Arctic Ocean near Canada toward Siberia at a rate of nearly 40 miles per year. According the U.S. Geological Survey, that speed has increased by 36 percent over the last 10 years. "Every five years, the FAA reevaluates shifts in the pole – its magnetic variation – and makes changes to runways and flight procedures as needed," reports Kathleen Bergen, a spokeswoman for the FAA Southern Region. Learn more.

CBP Provides Valuable Information in e-APIS Newsletter
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) this month released a new issue of its newsletter on best practices for complying with Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) requirements. Topics include tips on how to modify an already submitted APIS transmission and a description of documents needed to travel internationally on a general aviation aircraft. At the request of NBAA, a list of airports where CBP inspection services are normally available, with contact information for each location, is also included. Review the newsletter to learn more.

North Dakota First to Declare Aviation Week in 2011
North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple (R) has proclaimed "Aviation Week" in his state, making North Dakota the first state to issue such a statement in 2011, after 19 states did in 2010. Dalrymple said the week of March 6 to 12 was dedicated to appreciation of the value of aviation, including business aviation. NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen welcomed the governor's proclamation, saying, "Governor Dalrymple understands that aviation is crucial to supporting jobs, helping businesses to reach their customer base and beyond and providing resources and services to communities in need." Learn more.

FAA Authorizes iPads as Sole Charts Reference
FAA's authorization for Executive Jet Management and Cutter Aviation pilots to use Apple's iPad as sole reference for electronic approach charts in the cockpit has opened the floodgates for other operators eager to shed up to 60 pounds of paper charts. Since iPads weigh about 1.5 pounds, an increase in useful load of as much as 58.5 pounds is significant, especially for business operators. NBAA reports on the emerging use of tablet computers as electronic flight bags (EFBs) in a recent Business Aviation Insider online extra. Read the full story.

Bermuda to Begin Enforcement of ICAO SMS Standards
As previously reported by NBAA, effective April 1, the Bermuda Department of Civil Aviation will require operators to comply with the provisions contained in Annex 6 Part II of the ICAO standards. Section 3 of the standards applies to aircraft over 12,500 pounds or turbojet aircraft and requires the implementation of a safety management system (SMS) and development of a flight operations manual. Regulators in Bermuda have recognized the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) as an acceptable means of compliance with these standards. Review NBAA's SMS resources.

Momentum Continues to Build for ABACE2012
With Chinese authorities officially welcoming the event to Shanghai and the world's major business aircraft manufacturers committing to exhibit, excitement for the 2012 Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (ABACE2012) continues to build. "It's been just a few months since NBAA and AsBAA (the Asian Business Aviation Association) announced plans to re-introduce ABACE in 2012, and in that short amount of time, the momentum that is building for the event has surpassed even our highest expectations," said Kathleen Blouin, NBAA senior vice president for conventions, forums & seminars, at a press conference last week in Hong Kong. Learn more.

Registration Open for EBACE2011 Press and Attendees
Attendees and press can now register for EBACE2011, the eleventh consecutive European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition, taking place May 17 to 19, in Geneva, Switzerland. EBACE is jointly hosted each year by the European Business Aviation Association and NBAA, and brings together business leaders, government officials, manufacturers, company aviation department personnel and all manner of people involved in nearly all aspects of business aviation. The 2010 event featured 60 aircraft on Static Display at Geneva International Airport, 400 Exhibitors and nearly 12,000 Attendees. Learn more and register now.

Tell Congress: A Nighttime Ban at California Airports Won't Fly
NBAA Members are urged to contact their representatives in Congress to oppose a proposed ban on nighttime flights at Bob Hope Burbank (BUR) and Van Nuys (VNY) airports in southern California. "This amendment would establish exactly the type of 'patchwork quilt' of local restrictions that the 1990 Airport Noise and Capacity Act was designed to prevent," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. Members can use NBAA's online Contact Congress resource to send a personalized message to their senators and representatives. Learn more and send a message today.

Dulles Expects Runway Closures to Install Status Lights
Multiple runway closures are expected this year at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) for installation of runway status lights. Runway 1L/19R is closed this month to accommodate the installation and the replacement of cracked runway panels. Runway 1C/19C is expected to be closed in June and Runway 1R/19L in September. Each closure should last three to four weeks and extended taxi times are possible. Operators are encouraged to monitor FAA notices to airmen for specific closure dates and times. For more information, contact NBAA's GA Desk at gadesk@nbaa.org.

Chicago-Area Scholarship to Benefit College Seniors
The Chicago Area Business Aviation Association (CABAA) and FlightSafety International are jointly offering a scholarship to promote professional development for a business aviation career. One college senior, graduating in 2011, will receive a Citation II SIC pilot training course to be fulfilled at FlightSafety's training center in Toledo, OH. Applications are due May 1. For full details, visit the CABAA web site.

NBAA Members: Last Chance to Gain Free Access to NBAA Compensation & Benchmark Survey Results
The NBAA Compensation & Benchmark Survey provides a comprehensive review of aviation department personnel salaries, maintenance details, ownership options and more. Respondents who complete the survey by the deadline this Friday, March 18, will have access to free online results. Non-participating Members will be able to purchase online access to the results for $150. NBAA strongly encourages all Member Companies that operate aircraft to participate in the 2011 survey to ensure that the results are as comprehensive and accurate as possible. Only NBAA Member Representatives, or those designated by Member Representatives, are eligible to take the survey. Learn more.

Dallas Regional Forum Features Timely Sessions, Networking
NBAA will hold the next Business Aviation Regional Forum in Dallas, TX on April 14. Day-long learning and peer-networking venues, NBAA's Regional Forums bring together local aircraft owners, operators, manufacturers and customers. As countries begin implementing safety management system (SMS) requirements for business aircraft operators, the Dallas Forum will include an SMS update detailing the resources available from NBAA and the International Business Aviation Council. Learn more and register now.

Last Call for Nominations: Meritorious Service and Doswell Awards
NBAA has extended the deadline for nominations for its two most prestigious awards, the Meritorious Service to Aviation Award and the John P. "Jack" Doswell Award, to this Friday, March 18. As recently reported, the Meritorious Service Award has a rich history, recognizing individuals who have made significant lifelong contributions to aviation. The Doswell Award does as well, honoring lifelong individual achievement in support of the aims, goals and objectives of business aviation. Submit a nomination today.