UK Considering Public Release of EU-ETS Information
Last week operators assigned to the United Kingdom for purposes of complying with the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU-ETS) received letters regarding UK Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. The first FOIA request sought to obtain certain information from operators' metric ton-kilometer monitoring plans submitted to the UK. Officials with the UK Environment Agency recently stated that information on non-commercial operators will not be released, but NBAA is providing a sample letter Members can submit to request limitations on the public release of ETS data. In a second communication, the agency stated it may release a list of operators that submitted a metric ton-kilometer monitoring plan. Since the information sought by the second FOIA request is only a list, and not specific data, it is likely not exempt from release. Learn more about confidentiality of EU-ETS information.

Solar Storms Might Impact GPS
A huge explosion on the surface of the sun recently sent a wave of radiation sweeping outward into space and heralded the coming of an active solar storm season. Although the flare wasn't aimed at the Earth, Joes Kunches, a scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, told the Los Angeles Times that solar storms like this one can cause temporary disruptions in signals from Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites, making GPS approaches sometimes unreliable. Learn more about solar storms' effects.

SIFL Rates for Second Half of Calendar Year Delayed
The Department of Transportation (DOT) has advised NBAA that release of the Standard Industry Fare Level (SIFL) rates for the second half of calendar year 2011 has been delayed. Due to data processing issues, financial results for many major air carriers, which DOT requires to generate revised SIFL rates, are not available. NBAA is in contact with DOT staff members and will make the rates available as soon as they are released. SIFL rates are used to apply the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) aircraft valuation formula to calculate the value of non-business transportation aboard employer-provided aircraft and impute the income of traveling employees as required by IRS rules. Direct questions to info@nbaa.org. View a list of historic SIFL rates and NBAA's Personal Use Calculator.

Analyst: Continued Economic Turbulence Won't Derail GA Recovery
The economy's third-quarter slowdown is not expected to scuttle what to date has been a slow, gradual recovery for general aviation (GA), according to investment analyst Brian Foley, of Brian Foley Associates in a recent report titled "General Aviation Won't Repeat 2008 Rout." He stated, "With equity markets whipsawing, sovereign debt issues and overall economic uncertainty, some in the general aviation sector wonder if it's a precursor to another 2008-like industry free-fall. Not so." Read more about prospects for the GA sector.

New NBAA Resource Explains Rules Governing Overtime Pay
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and U.S. Department of Labor establish rules governing overtime pay for certain employees. Some employees in a flight operation may be exempt from overtime pay, and others non-exempt. Due to the complexities of the laws, NBAA's Employment Issues Working Group and Corporate Aviation Management Committee have developed a resource that provides an overview of the rules regarding overtime pay and offers strategies that flight department managers can implement to determine their compliance with relevant labor laws. Review NBAA's new FLSA resource..

NBAA Salutes Regional Groups in Fight to Preserve BARR
NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen applauded a recent surge of contributions from a host of regional business aviation associations to a legal defense fund established to support a court fight to preserve the Block Aircraft Registration Request (BARR) program. "The business aviation community is once again demonstrating its readiness to mobilize behind the industry's priorities," said Bolen. "We salute the leaders and members with these regional business aviation associations for contributing to the fund. Their financial backing for our court fight to preserve the BARR program highlights how important it is to the people and companies in our industry." Learn more about the BARR Legal Defense Fund.

Keeping Your Head Above the Paperwork
Pilots who fly their own aircraft for business face operational challenges all on their own, but they also face a whole set of challenges outside the cockpit. Perhaps the most daunting is recordkeeping. Regulatory, financial and safety demands require the owner/operator keep pilot logbooks, flight records, tax returns, passenger manifests, insurance documentation and maintenance records. "If you're using your aircraft to support your business, you have the same recordkeeping requirements as a corporate flight department," said Doug Stewart, president of AircraftLogs. Read more about aircraft recordkeeping in a Business Aviation Insider online extra.

China to Host Its First General Aviation Fly-In
Raising awareness about general aviation and promoting an interest in flying are the twin goals of a first-ever fly-in being hosted in Beijing next month by representatives with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association in China. The fly-in is part of a larger summit focusing on challenges confronting GA in China. "Because of the rigid restrictions of the airspace, in China there is not that much of an aviation culture," Jason Liao, NBAA's chief representative in Asia, said from his office in Beijing. "Aviation is something far away from people's daily lives. I think this fly-in will spur lots of interest." Listen to the NBAA Flight Plan podcast, or read more about the first general aviation fly-in for China.

Cross-Border Issues Conference to Address Needs of Canadian, U.S. Operators
In addition to sharing the longest border in the world, at over 5,500 miles, Canada and the United States are also top trading partners. With this close geographic and economic relationship, many business aircraft operators from both countries conduct frequent cross-border flights. NBAA and the Canadian Business Aviation Association have jointly developed a seminar to address the common challenges faced by operators transporting passengers across the border to conduct business in both countries. Representatives from agencies such as U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Canada Border Services Agency have been invited to participate in this interactive event, to be held December 8 and 9 in Ontario, Canada. Learn more about key cross-border issues to be covered.

Bolen to Receive New Jersey Excellence in Aviation Award
The New Jersey Aviation Association (NJAA) will hold its annual Excellence in Aviation Awards Luncheon on September 14 at the TPC Jasna Polana Golf Club in Princeton. NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen has been named as one of this year's award recipients and will also serve as the luncheon keynote speaker. Several New Jersey legislators also will receive awards for their leadership in supporting aviation this year. For more information, contact NBAA's Dean Saucier at dsaucier@nbaa.org. Seating is limited; to reserve a place, contact NJAA President Arlene Feldman at ljsj35@comcast.net.

Fort Lauderdale International Taxiway Alert
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) has seen several recent incidents of pilots mistaking Taxiway Bravo for Runway 9L and attempting to depart on the taxiway. To prevent such incidents, the Broward County Aviation Department has distributed a pilot alert to post at FBOs, and FLL air traffic control has changed phraseology to direct aircraft on Taxiway Charlie departing Runway 9L to cross Taxiway Bravo before receiving departure clearance. The airport has removed all taxiway centerlines that lead from Taxiway Charlie to Taxiway Bravo, installing surface painted signs – and soon green reflectors with LED lights – directing pilots to Runway 9L. Review the FLL pilot alert.

FAA Hosting Customer Forum in Fort Worth This Thursday
The FAA will hold its first annual Central Service Center Customer Forum this Thursday, August 25 in Fort Worth, TX from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Central Service Center provides air traffic organization services to 17 states from New Mexico to Michigan, promoting standardization of airspace system operations. This first-ever event, held at the American Paint Horse Association at 2800 Meachum Boulevard, will cover national and local FAA projects, including a new Flight Deck Training Program similar the ride-along program discontinued after September 11, 2001. For more information, contact NBAA's Steve Hadley at shadley@nbaa.org. RSVP as soon as possible to the FAA's Fabiola Mendiaz at fabiola.mendiaz@faa.gov.

Doctor, Former Senate Leader to Receive Humanitarian Award
Esteemed doctor, pilot and former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist has been awarded the 2011 NBAA Al Ueltschi Award for Humanitarian Leadership in recognition of his life-saving efforts worldwide, and the importance of business aviation to those endeavors. "Bill Frist has combined his skill as an aviator with his expertise in medicine to reach people in need of life-saving treatment at home and all over the world," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. "He exemplifies the humanitarian spirit that's always been a part of business aviation." Learn more about NBAA Humanitarian Award winner Bill Frist.

Exhibiting at NBAA2011? Have a Marketing Strategy
As business aviation's biggest event, NBAA's 64th Annual Meeting & Convention (NBAA2011) offers the chance to connect with thousands of potential customers, but reserving a booth is just the first step to closing a deal. "What you do before the show matters much more than what you do during and after," said Paula Williams, co-founder of Aviation Business Consultants International. "Having a great plan and doing some preparation will do more for your success than having fireworks above your booth." Communicating with your customers, advertising, sponsorship and post-Convention follow-up all are important elements of a long-term marketing strategy. Learn how to leverage your presence at NBAA2011 this October in Las Vegas.

Warning to NBAA Exhibitors About Unauthorized Show Guides
NBAA2011 Exhibitors may receive solicitations from companies for paid listings in trade show directories in the guise of directory update forms. Companies making such offers are not affiliated with NBAA. For all NBAA events, NBAA is the only official publisher of Exhibitor directories. NBAA urges Exhibitors to review all solicitations carefully, particularly those received by fax and email. To report a third-party solicitation that claims to represent NBAA, contact Maureen Cameron at mcameron@nbaa.org. Find more about how to avoid show guide scams.