Aircraft Registered in Month of April Due for Re-Registration
Aircraft owners with a registration certificate issued in April of any year should have received a re-registration notice from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) by now, and have until April 30 to re-register their aircraft. NBAA urges aircraft owners to check the FAA Registry to determine when aircraft are due for re-registration and validate the address on the certificate, as that is where the FAA will send the re-registration notice. Review FAA guidance on re-registration and search for your aircraft's re-registration status online.

House Bill Requires FAA to Consider Industry Impact of Regulations
An important amendment, though one included with little fanfare, is part of H.R. 658, the House version of this year's FAA reauthorization bill. Specifically, language offered by Rep. Bud Shuster (R-9-PA) on March 31 would require the FAA to recognize that "one size does not fit all" when regulations are considered for the aviation industry. Learn more.

NBAA Committee Prompts FAA Guidance on ILS Intercepts
As a result of the NBAA Access Committee's involvement in the FAA's Aeronautical Charting Forum, the FAA has released InFO 11009 regarding minimum crossing altitudes at step-down fixes on instrument landing system (ILS) approaches. While the ILS glide slope remains stationary regardless of atmospheric temperature, step-down fixes are published according to indicated altitude, which varies with temperature changes. This means that on hotter days, pilots must comply with the minimum step-down altitude, even if it means remaining above the ILS glide slope until reaching final approach fix. Review the InFO and NBAA's summary.

FCC Indefinitely Withdraws Ban on 121.5 MHz ELTs
On March 29, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) published a final rule that indefinitely stays its original proposed rule mandating replacement of 121.5 MHz emergency locator transmitters (ELTs) with 406 MHz ELTs. NBAA joined the FAA and others in protesting the rule when it was initially introduced. Through a separate Federal Register notice, the FCC will request further comment on the future of 121.5 MHz ELTs. NBAA will keep Members apprised of any further developments. Review the final rule.

Reports: Business Aviation Safety Record Remains Strong
The latest editions of the two most widely recognized annual reports on general aviation (GA) flying show that business flying safety remains comparable to airline flying safety. The 2010 Annual Business Turbine Aircraft Accident Review by Robert E. Breiling Associates and the 2010 Air Safety Institute Nall Report show a continued outstanding record for fixed-wing business aircraft flying. Learn more.

Group's Study Makes Data-Driven Case for SMS
A five-year, data-driven study of 58 flight departments – conducted by the VanAllen Group and presented at NBAA's 19th Annual Leadership Conference in San Diego earlier this year – shows a correlation between management buy-in for a safety management system (SMS) plan and a flight department's accident or safety event history. Learn more.

New NBAA Resource Explains Considerations for EFVS 
Operators of aircraft equipped with an FAA-approved enhanced flight visual system (EFVS) must ensure their pilots understand how to use the system safely. The NBAA Access Committee has developed a resource for Members on the operational considerations for using EFVS; the relationship between the final approach segment vertical descent angle and any installed visual glide slope indicator; and how that relationship is depicted on instrument approach charts. View the resource.

Bipartisan Duo Committed to Growing House GA Caucus
The two leaders of the House GA Caucus are on a mission: Reps. Sam Graves (R-6-MO) and John Barrow (D-12-GA) are dedicated to swelling the ranks of the caucus and spreading the word about the value of all general aviation, including business aviation. In a recent video interview with NBAA Senior Vice President for Government Affairs Lisa Piccione, both lawmakers explained the value of business aviation in their congressional districts, and their goals for helping the GA Caucus highlight the industry's value across the U.S. Read more and view the video.

Insider Tells Why Upset Recovery Training Makes You a Better Pilot
Upset recovery training, which teaches pilots what to do when they lose command of an airplane, has been a staple of military flight instruction for decades. Lately, there has been growing awareness that the skills learned in such courses are valuable for business pilots as well. NBAA Member Representative John Hayes, a founder of Citation Jet Pilots, believes upset recovery training is so valuable "it's something every pilot should do. It's like instrument training – it makes you a better pilot, no matter what you fly or what conditions you encounter." Review his account in a Business Aviation Insider online extra.

Shanghai Airport Authority Formalizes Support for ABACE
NBAA, the Asian Business Aviation Association (AsBAA) and the Shanghai Airport Authority (SAA) have signed an agreement formalizing mutual support for the Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (ABACE2012). "This collaboration is a natural fit," said SAA Chairman Nianzu Wu. "NBAA has well-established expertise in organizing the world's premier business aviation events and AsBAA represents the regional business aviation community. The Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport is widely recognized as one of China's flagship airports." The agreement establishes that the parties will work together for a minimum of five years and that SAA will exclusively support ABACE. Learn more.

ABACE2012 Call for Speakers Issued
NBAA has issued a call for entries for educational presentations at the Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (ABACE2012), to be held from February 28 to March 1, 2012, at the Shanghai Hawker Pacific Business Aviation Centre in China. Educational session proposals must provide content relevant to business aircraft ownership and operations, and presenters must have proven business aviation experience/expertise in the Asian marketplace. The deadline for proposals is April 29, 2011. For full details, available in both English and Chinese versions, visit the ABACE2012 web site.

Virginia Leaders Say: 'No Plane, No Gain'
At a time when many states faced with severe budget shortfalls are considering raising taxes on aviation, Virginia has passed two aircraft sales tax exemptions to attract aviation business to the state. "Companies have the potential to create good, high-paying jobs, but the jobs follow the airplanes," reports Scott O'Brien, NBAA Operations Service Group project manager. "With this new law, Virginia legislators have demonstrated that they understand the value business aviation brings to the state." Learn more.

Get Tools for Hosting Regional Safety Day With NBAA Webinar
The value of hosting a safety day, plus tips on how to plan for and hold a local safety event, were the subject of a recent NBAA Regional Group Leadership Webinar, one in a series of webinars that NBAA hosts for the benefit of and at the request of regional business aviation groups nationwide. Learn more.

This Thursday in Dallas: NBAA Regional Forum, Register Now
NBAA's Business Aviation Regional Forum in Dallas, TX, this Thursday, April 14, will feature 80 Exhibitors and nearly 20 aircraft on Static Display. This day-long learning and networking event will feature sessions on legal, financial and tax considerations for aircraft ownership; safety management systems (SMS); flight deck datalink; and other timely issues. FAA air traffic control officials will also be on hand at Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL) to answer questions about regional operating policies and procedures. Register now.

NBAA Webinar Offers Aircraft Transaction Insights
The aircraft market has changed significantly in the last three years, making it essential to build the right team early in any deal, including accountants, tax attorneys, lenders and insurers. In a recent NBAA webinar, members of the Association's Board of Directors and Aircraft Transactions Working Group explained the six steps to a seamless aircraft transaction. The webinar covered pre-buys, letters of intent, purchase agreements, operating leases vs. debt financing and much more. Read a summary and download the recording.