NBAA Queries FAA on New BARR Requirements
NBAA today published guidance information it has received from Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) officials about the process involved in complying with the government's planned curtailment of the Block Aircraft Registration Request (BARR) program. "NBAA is opposed to the government's plan to dismantle the BARR program and we intend challenge it in court and on Capitol Hill," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. "Still, aircraft operators have fundamental questions about how to comply with the FAA's new BARR criteria, in the event that we are unable to prevent the FAA's plan from taking effect." Learn more.

LightSquared Broadband Tests Prompt Congressional Alarm
Mounting evidence of interference with Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites from proposed broadband communications network LightSquared has attracted scrutiny from the United States Congress. The House and Senate have recently written the proposed broadband provider to express alarm over the results of recent tests conducted throughout the southwestern U.S., which reveal the potential for severe interference with signals from GPS satellites. As part of the Coalition to Save Our GPS, NBAA has been actively involved in efforts calling for LightSquared to demonstrate technology fully compatible with GPS. Learn more.

Conflicting Flight Data Recorder Standards May Confuse Operators
It's often a source of confusion: the standards and recommended practices from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regarding flight data recorders (FDRs), which are based on aircraft weight, differ substantially from FAA regulations, which are based on passenger seats available. Operators need to research the topic thoroughly before conducting international flights. NBAA has a new article on FDR standards online. Learn more.

NBAA2011 Now Open for Registration
Attendee registration for the NBAA 64th Annual Meeting & Convention (NBAA2011) is now available. NBAA2011 will be held Monday, October 10 through Wednesday, October 12 at the Las Vegas Convention Center with a first-ever Outdoor Static Display area adjacent to the convention center and with the traditional Static Display of Aircraft at nearby Henderson Executive Airport (HND). Attendees may now register online for NBAA2011 badges as well as for pre- and post-Convention events like the NBAA Tax, Regulatory & Risk Management Conference and Professional Development Program (PDP) courses. Register now.

June Is GA Appreciation Month in the Sunshine State
Florida Governor Rick Scott has proclaimed June 2011 as General Aviation (GA) Appreciation Month. "Aviation plays a huge role in Florida’s economy," said the governor in his proclamation, signed June 7. Governor Scott acknowledged the importance of business flying in the state, citing its "critical role in the lives of our citizens, as well as in the operation of our businesses and farms." Learn more and read the proclamation.

Colorado 'Aviation Saves' Event Highlights Industry's Value
The Colorado Aviation Business Association's (CABA) "Aviation Saves" 2011 open house attracted large crowds, raised more than $5,000 for charity and more than accomplished its overall mission of spreading the word about the importance of business aviation to the state of Colorado, according to association officials. "It was an awesome event and we received lots of great feedback," said Reggie Arsenault, CABA chairman and senior manager of Jeppesen. Learn more.

Operators Should Plan for Volatile Hurricane Season
Predictions about the 2011 hurricane season underscore the need for pilots operating over the southeastern U.S. to check METARs before departure, and for aviation businesses to make sure they're prepared for severe weather. Two experts at the Tropical Meteorology Department at Colorado State University forecast well above-average activity for the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season "due to the combination of expected neutral ENSO (El Nino-Southern Oscillation) conditions and very favorable atmospheric and oceanic conditions in the tropical Atlantic." Learn more in this month's Business Aviation Insider online extra.

IS-BAO Restructuring and New Management Team Announced
NBAA welcomed a June 10 announcement from the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) regarding the evolution of the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO), the worldwide safety standard for business aviation operations, and the new management team named to support the program. Former NBAA Board Director Jim Cannon has been named IS-BAO program director, responsible for overall management of the expanding program. Learn more.

Business Aviation in India: Patience Required, but Opportunity Abounds
With its large population, vibrant economy and entrepreneurial business culture, India in some ways offers great promise for business aviation. However, the current environment also includes a host of operational regulations, a complex bureaucracy involved in flying, onerous import duties and currency outflow restrictions, and a complicated aircraft purchasing process. "The encouraging thing is that despite all of the difficulties of buying and then operating an aircraft in India, people are buying them," reports Trevor Esling, vice president of international sales of Cessna Aircraft Company. Learn more.

NBAA Concerned Over New Airport Use Fees in Oregon
The NBAA has been made aware of a new airport use fee schedule enacted recently at the Southwest Oregon Regional Airport (OTH) in North Bend, OR. Association representatives are in communication with counterparts at the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, which has recently sent inquiries to the Airport Manager seeking further information regarding the methodology used in developing the fee schedule. NBAA is currently reviewing the information and will be meeting with the FAA Airport Compliance Division this week to better understand whether the new rate structure meets FAA grant assurances. Please contact NBAA's Kristi Ivey at kivey@nbaa.org for additional information or questions. Review the new airport use fee schedule.

Arizona Group Works to Improve Scottsdale Access
Scottsdale Airport (SDL) now has the US-VISIT traveler identification program, allowing passengers with proper visas to clear customs when arriving on international flights from anywhere in the world. The new entry procedure, a result of cooperation between the City of Scottsdale, the Arizona Business Aviation Association and the federal government, lifts a decade of restrictions allowing foreign flights from only Canada and Mexico. Learn more.

Washington, DC-Area Safety Standdown To Feature Jeff Skiles
Jeff Skiles, co-pilot on the "Miracle on the Hudson" flight in New York City, will be the keynote speaker for the fifth annual Safety Standdown of the Greater Washington (D.C.) Business Aviation Association on Thursday, June 23. "We're putting special focus on safety management systems and real-life operational procedures for this year's standdown," said Harry Houckes, NBAA Regional Representative for the southeast U.S. Learn more.

A New Airport Opens, Deep in the Heart of Texas
Although itis been open for nearly a month now, Austin Executive Airport (EDC) staged its official grand opening on June 8, welcoming general aviation with an expanded runway expanded and an FBO dedicated to providing premium customer service. NBAA's Steve Hadley was on-hand to talk about the airport's value to the local economy. Listen to an NBAA Flight Plan podcast and read more.

Women Leaders of Regional Groups Talk Leadership Development
Paige Kroner and Marj DeLong Rose are both women leading business aviation regional groups – and they're also members of Women in Corporate Aviation (WCA). In a recent NBAA article, both women cite involvement in industry groups as key to leadership development. "By bringing women in business aviation together, they find that they belong in the industry, and then they become leaders," said Elizabeth Clark, executive director of WCA. For Kroner and Rose's insights, read more.

NBAA Releases New Edition of Management Guide
The Association has released the latest edition of the NBAA Management Guide, an industry how-to manual for business aviation management that assists flight departments with operational, maintenance, administrative and other considerations. The Spring 2011 edition introduces several updates to the Administration, Flight Operations and Glossary sections, as well as to the Appendix, and is available in both print and PDF formats upon request. NBAA Members are encouraged to request new copies of the guide and familiarize themselves with the changes. Requests must be submitted via the secure online order form. Learn more.

Not Too Late to Register for This Week's Flight Attendants Conference
NBAA's 16th Annual Flight Attendants/Flight Technicians Conference is this week, Thursday, June 16 to Saturday, June 18 in San Diego, CA. Featuring a full program of sessions to help cabin professionals provide excellent safety, security and service, the conference also offers outstanding networking opportunities, including a "San Diego at Sunset" dinner cruise on June 16. Register now.

White Plains Event Shatters All Regional Forum Records
Business aviation is recognized as a valued partner in New York's Westchester County, contributing to jobs and economic growth, NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen told the audience at NBAA's Regional Forum held June 8 in White Plains, NY. Addressing a large crowd at the event, Bolen said, "Westchester County understands that this airport matters, that business aviation matters, that we create jobs and that we're important for the economy." The event drew a record 1,918 attendees, featured more 112 Exhibitors and showcased 34 static aircraft. Learn more.

Charter Sales Professional Wins Membership Month iPad Contest
In May, NBAA offered Members the opportunity to share their favorite Membership experience for a chance to win an Apple iPad. The result was an outpouring of testimonials, and NBAA's iPad winner is Rich Segerson, director of client relations for South Florida-based charter broker InJet. While May is Membership Month has ended for the year, NBAA still encourages Members to provide testimonials. Share yours today.