NBAA Challenges Wall Street Journal's Misrepresentation of Business Aviation
When a recent story in the Wall Street Journal overlooked the value of business aviation as a competitive asset, and instead focused only on non-business use of an airplane, NBAA was quick to set forth the facts. "A view of business aviation beyond the select list of flights included in your story would reveal that for the most part, businesspeople use an airplane to reach towns with little or no airline service, work more efficiently and productively while in flight, and be more nimble and competitive in a global marketplace," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen in a June 17 letter to the newspaper's editor. NBAA's other challenges to the paper's recent coverage of the industry have been published on the paper's letters page in recent weeks. Review the most recent NBAA letter.

ICAO: 'Grave Concern' Over LightSquared Interference With GPS
Mounting concerns over interference to Global Positioning System (GPS) signals from broadband communications towers have reached the global stage. In a June 13 letter to U.S. officials, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) expressed the group's "grave concern" over the conditional waiver provided by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to wireless provider LightSquared. Congress also took action on the issue last week, with General Aviation Caucus members spearheading the inclusion of language about the matter in an annual appropriations bill. NBAA is part of the Coalition to Save Our GPS, which counts over 200 members dedicated to maintaining the safety and integrity of the GPS network. Learn more.

FAA Reports Remarkable Drop in Runway Incursions
The number of serious runway incursions at airports across the United States dropped more than 90 percent between 2000 and 2010, according to a recent announcement from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). In 2010 alone, there were six serious incursions – half the number of those reported in 2009, the FAA reported. It was the second such year-over-year drop in a row. "The entire aviation community can be credited with the remarkable success achieved in runway safety," according to a statement recently issued by the FAA. Listen to the NBAA Flight Plan podcast or read more.

NBAA Welcomes CBP Change to Ease Radiation Inspections
Last week, NBAA welcomed a helpful change that will ease the radiation-screening procedure conducted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents for business aircraft flying into the United States. Effective June 15, auxiliary power units may remain on while radiation checks are conducted on aircraft entering the country, as long as the exhaust vents for those units are eight feet above the ground or higher. Cooperation between CBP officials and NBAA representatives led to the accommodation, which greatly streamlines the CBP's radiation inspections without sacrificing security protections. Learn more.

Winning Numbers for Business Aviation: One Half, One Quarter, One Third
NBAA is highlighting three key metrics – one half, one quarter and one third – which demonstrate that national and state policymakers understand the value of business aviation. As of this month, one half of U.S. states have issued proclamations recognizing the value of general aviation; one quarter of the House of Representatives belongs to that chamber's GA Caucus; and one third of senators belong to the Senate GA Caucus. "These numbers are solid proof that lawmakers all over the country understand and appreciate what business aviation means for them and their constituents," NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen said. Learn more.

Planning, Multiple Crews Key to Long-Distance Missions
For flight departments that often visit far-flung global destinations, careful planning and prepositioning additional flightcrews is a reliable way to ensure pilots and flight technicians are not fatigued on multi-leg trips. For example, Pfizer is able to manage up to three simultaneous international flights to Asia by prepositioning crews for the transpacific leg in Anchorage, AK. "We go to some unique destinations," said Jim Kelly, Pfizer assistant director of operations. Many companies that fly globally also find it essential to use international handlers. Read the Business Aviation Insider online extra.

UK Proposal Amounts to Greenwashing of a Taxation Scheme
NBAA is expressing strong opposition to a proposed expansion of an air passenger duty to business aircraft departures from the United Kingdom. In comments submitted last week to Her Majesty's Treasury, NBAA supported the extensive filing by the European Business Aviation Association and outlined three key concerns the policy creates. First, application of the duty would hurt the UK economy due to reduced operations; second, the proposal amounts to "greenwashing" of a taxation scheme to drive more revenue to the UK government in the name of the environment; and third, this UK plan, when paired with the EU's Emissions Trading Scheme, penalizes business aircraft operators through double-taxation. View the scheme and the industry's response.

Volcanoes in South America, Africa Still Disrupting Air Traffic
Operators with upcoming missions to the Southern Hemisphere or East Africa are advised to check pilot reports and the latest SIGMETS for current conditions and potential restrictions due to volcanic activity in those regions. Ash clouds can damage aircraft engines, cause issues with lift if wings are covered and even cause engine stalling. Turbine engines are especially vulnerable because they can ingest air and ash particles during engine combustion. The ash heats up and can damage turbines or force engines to stall. NBAA has the latest on the conditions in the two regions. Learn more.

Trenton Runway to Close for Construction
Starting tomorrow, at 7:00 a.m. local, Runway 06/24 will be closed at Trenton Mercer Airport (TTN) in New Jersey. The runway is expected to remain closed for 55 to 70 days due to construction activities. Only the 4,800-foot Runway 16/34 at TTN will be available for routine operations during the construction project. Operators are urged to check NOTAMs and use caution when operating at TTN during this period. For additional information, contact the NBAA Operations Service Group at info@nbaa.org.

Greater Washington Safety Standdown This Thursday
The Greater Washington Business Aviation Association (GWBAA) will hold its annual day-long Safety Standdown on June 23 at the NTSB Training Center in Ashburn, VA. This year's keynote speaker will be Jeff Skiles, co-pilot of US Airways Flight 1549, the "Miracle on the Hudson." This Greater Washington safety day is one of several regional safety days hosted by regional business aviation associations nationwide, year-round. To plan a safety day near you, contact your NBAA regional representative or your nearest regional group via NBAA's Regional Business Aviation Groups Directory.

South Florida and Connecticut Groups Host Meetings This Week
The South Florida Business Aviation Association will hold its quarterly meeting tomorrow evening, June 21, in Boca Raton, FL, and the Connecticut Business Aviation Group will host a celebratory lunch at Hartford-Brainard Airport (HFD) on Wednesday, June 22 to thank everyone who joined in the recent advocacy effort to remove two new aviation taxes from the Connecticut state budget. For full details or to RSVP, visit NBAA's Upcoming Regional Events web page.

NBAA2011 Preliminary Program Schedule Now Available
The NBAA 64th Annual Meeting & Convention (NBAA2011) represents the most productive and efficient opportunity for business by providing industry exhibits, education sessions and static aircraft all in one place, all at one time. This year, key operators and industry leaders will meet in Las Vegas to conduct business, make buying decisions and set the stage for business aviation activity for the year ahead. The preliminary program schedule for NBAA2011 is now available in web and mobile device-friendly formats. View the schedule.

Live Webinar: Security Best Practices for Female Travelers
Today's female professionals travel the world aboard business aircraft, but whether flying as a crew member or passenger, female travelers have unique safety concerns. Learn to be proactive, not reactive, about security from an experienced panel of female travelers during a live webinar hosted by NBAA on June 28 at 2:00 p.m. ET. The webinar, "Safety & Security: Threat Mitigation for the Traveling Businesswoman," will be moderated by aviation journalist Benét Wilson and will feature a pilot who flies internationally, a flight attendant and ASI Global's Katie Colberg. Register now.