Senators Call for BARR Preservation in Final FAA Reauthorization Bill
Four U.S. senators recently urged that the final Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill include House-passed language preserving the Block Aircraft Registration Request (BARR) program. "The BARR program protects the legitimate security and privacy interests of aircraft owners, pilots and their passengers by ensuring real-time flight tracking information of private aircraft is not available to the public upon the aircraft operator's request," wrote Senate General Aviation Caucus co-chairs Mark Begich (D-AK) and Mike Johanns (R-NE) and their colleagues Sens. Mark Warner (D-VA) and Ben Nelson (D-NE). The four sent their letter to the chair and ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee, Sens. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) and Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), respectively, who will serve on the House and Senate conference panel reconciling the FAA bills passed by each chamber. Send your own message to Congress echoing the senators' message to preserve the BARR. Read the letter.

Joint Industry Letter Echoes Senators' Call for Preserving the BARR
On May 13, NBAA joined with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and Experimental Aircraft Association in signing a letter calling for preservation of the House-passed language to continue the BARR program as part of FAA reauthorization. The letter was sent to the members of Congress who will serve on a conference committee to reconcile the House and Senate FAA reauthorization measures. The groups' joint letter comes as other aviation groups, national business groups and members of Congress weigh in with similar letters supporting the BARR program. Learn more and read the letter.

NBAA Joins Coalition Calling on Congress, FCC to Protect GPS
As a member of the Coalition to Save Our GPS, NBAA is urging Congress to require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to take whatever steps necessary to protect the global positioning system (GPS), following a recent FCC decision that could lead to interference with GPS signals. In January, the FCC granted a wireless broadband company permission to build 40,000 ground stations that will operate in spectrum immediately adjacent to that used by GPS. Coalition members – as well as the Departments of Defense and Transportation – are concerned the ground station transmissions will drown out GPS signals and create dead spots. "Thousands of aircraft use GPS receivers for navigation, including approach and landing, and it is central to the FAA's ADS-B-based Next Generation Air Transportation System," members of the coalition wrote to Congress last week. Learn more and read the letter.

NBAA Answers Frequently Asked Questions on RVSM Height Monitoring
To answer Member questions about new RVSM height-monitoring requirements, NBAA contacted officials at the FAA for answers. In response, the FAA provided additional guidance on items such as the situations when an operator is required to complete an application for monitoring and an explanation as to when a height-monitoring plan must be submitted. Under the new requirements, operators authorized for flights in RVSM airspace have until November 18, 2012, to ensure that a successful height-monitoring flight has been completed. Review NBAA's Frequently Asked Questions page.

Association Thanks Delauter for Service as TSA GA Manager
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced last week that Brian Delauter will leave his office as the agency's general manager for general aviation (GA) at the end of the month to accept a job in the private sector. Since his appointment in 2009, Delauter, a former business aviation pilot, has significantly deepened understanding and collaboration between the industry and TSA. "We're sorry to see Brian leave – he brought an incredible degree of industry perspective to the agency when it needed strong direction on GA security," said NBAA's Doug Car, vice president, safety security & regulation. "The security improvements he advanced were not only reasonable, they just made plain sense." Learn more.

Industry Coalition Pledges to Support California AvGas Suppliers
The General Aviation Avgas Coalition, of which NBAA is a member, pledged last week to support over 40 California retailers and suppliers of aviation gasoline (avgas) that are being targeted in a lawsuit by the Center for Environmental Health (CEH) for distributing the fuel, which contains a lead additive. "Congress has reserved to the federal government, through the FAA, the right and responsibility to regulate all aviation activities in the U.S.," the coalition members said in a statement. "The threatened CEH lawsuit in California raises the specter of a patchwork of state regulations governing fuels pilots may or may not use in their piston-powered aircraft." Learn more.

NBAA Watching FAA Proposal to Increase Single-Pilot Proficiency Requirements
NBAA is closely monitoring the progress of an FAA rule that could require annual proficiency checks for single-piloted, turbine-powered aircraft. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) began reviewing the final rule in mid-April, which typically is the final step before a rule is published. "OMB is conducting essentially a cost-benefit analysis and economic evaluation of the impact of the rule," said Doug Carr, NBAA vice president of safety, security & regulation. "So it very well could be another 30 to 60 days before we see it." Learn more.

NBAA Providing Industry Update at AAAE Convention
At the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) 83rd Annual Conference & Exposition in Atlanta this week, Lisa Piccione, NBAA senior vice president for government affairs, will join a panel on guiding the general aviation industry through the current economic headwinds. Piccione will provide an update on state of the industry and how general aviation is responding in a session on Wednesday, May 18 from 2:15 to 3:15 p.m. The panel, "Steering the Business of General Aviation Towards Success," will also feature airport and FBO leaders. Visit the NBAA Advocacy web page.

CAM Chairman Discusses Exam's Evolving Mission
Scott Rose is the chairman of the governing board for the NBAA Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) Program, perhaps one of the most prestigious leadership programs in the entire industry. In the latest edition of the NBAA Flight Plan podcast, he explains the evolution of the CAM Program and its role in developing the aviation leaders of tomorrow. Rose says his emphasis is on the big picture – the combined efforts of flightcrews, maintenance technicians and dispatchers – to create a seamless aviation operation. Listen to the NBAA Flight Plan podcast, or read a related article now available as a Business Aviation Insider online extra.

In Geneva, Business Aviation Community Rallies Around ABACE2012
Standing before a group of industry leaders during a press briefing in Geneva, NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen today reported that the 2012 edition of the Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (ABACE2012) is well positioned to take its place as the region's premier annual industry event. Co-organized by NBAA and the Asian Business Aviation Association, ABACE2012 will include exhibits in the Shanghai Hawker Pacific Business Aviation Service Centre's 4,000 square-meter hangar, static aircraft and education sessions led by industry veterans. Learn more.

At the NextGen Crossroads in Europe
A January 2014 deadline looms for operators flying to Europe to comply with new data link communications standards between aircraft and air traffic control. At issue is that ground-based systems used under Link 2000+, Eurocontrol's solution for handling controller pilot data link communications, are not necessarily compatible with other data link systems currently in use, most notably the satellite-based capabilities being developed under FANS-1/A. What does Link 2000+ mean for European operations? Learn more.

New Jersey Again Declares a General Aviation Month
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie (R) has declared May 2011 as General Aviation (GA) Appreciation Month in the state. "Governor Christie's proclamation focuses on the value of all general aviation, including business aviation, to New Jersey's companies, communities and economy," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. "We appreciate his recognition of this vibrant industry in the Garden State." Learn more.

Florida's Witham Field to Remain Open During Runway Upgrade
Martin County Airport/Witham Field (SUA) in Stuart, FL is in the process of installing an engineered materials arresting system (EMAS) for its main runway, Runway 12/30. An EMAS relies on crushable concrete at the end of a runway to prevent overruns and enhance safety. While Runway 12/30 will be closed for the construction through October, Runway 16/34 and Runway 7/25 will both remain open. For more information, contact NBAA's Harry Houckes at hhouckes@nbaa.org, or visit NBAA's Witham page.

Invitation for Sponsors: NBAA Regional Forum in White Plains, NY
NBAA's next Business Aviation Regional Forum is less than a month away – in White Plains, NY on June 8. A day-long learning and networking venue for local leaders, the White Plains Regional Forum will feature hundreds of people, 50 indoor exhibits and nearly 20 static aircraft. Companies interested in sponsorship opportunities at the forum, including event materials, meals and the show program, should contact NBAA's Katrina Bradshaw at kbradshaw@nbaa.org. Learn more about the White Plains Regional Forum.

Record-Breaking EBACE2011 Set for This Week
Jointly hosted by NBAA and the European Business Aviation Association, the 11th Annual European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE2011) returns to Geneva this week from May 17 to 19. This event is already on track to be the biggest EBACE ever, with more than 511 Exhibitors, compared to the record-setting EBACE2008 with 445 companies. This year's Exhibitors occupy a record 2,074 booth spaces, exceeding the previous high mark of 1,922. In addition, the registration total as of May 16, the day before the show's opening, is 11,289, which already surpasses last year's final total of 11,186. Visit the EBACE2011 web site.

Join NBAA for Coffee, Networking, Prizes at EBACE
Whether you are new to NBAA, or a long-time Member, all EBACE2011 Attendees are invited to the NBAA Coffee Social being held in Stand #1731 in Hall 5 on Wednesday, May 18, between 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. This event is a great opportunity to meet with NBAA staff, network with industry peers and learn how the benefits of NBAA Membership can help make your business safer and more successful. All coffee social attendees will be entered for a chance to win two free passes to NBAA's 64th Annual Meeting & Convention in Las Vegas. Review the EBACE2011 program schedule.

Why Join NBAA? In Video Comments, Members Laud Safety Support
In the latest video highlighting the value of NBAA Membership, individuals discuss the many resources NBAA provides in support of safety and operational best practices. For example, David Small of Cox Enterprises reports: "NBAA makes me smarter by keeping me abreast of the latest situations in the ever-changing regulatory environment and international travel, especially with ops and safety concerns." The video focusing on NBAA's safety emphasis is among several in a series being shared as part of May Is Membership Month at NBAA. Learn more.

Introduction to SMS Workshop Set for June in Seattle
A comprehensive overview of safety management systems (SMS) for business flight departments will be provided at NBAA's Introduction to SMS Workshop scheduled for June 21 to 23 in Seattle, WA. NBAA has supported voluntary SMS development for business flight operators, provided that rules from the government or elsewhere don't burden operators, particularly small operators, with unnecessary and duplicative paperwork. Learn more.