NBAA, AOPA Formally File Court Brief to Preserve BARR
NBAA and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) today filed their opening brief in court to challenge the government's decision to severely limit the Block Aircraft Registration Request (BARR) program. In their briefing, filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, the associations argue that the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA's) revisions to the BARR program are unlawful and should be invalidated. In June, NBAA and AOPA announced that they would challenge the government's plan in court, and the Experimental Aircraft Association filed a friend of the court brief supporting the suit. Review the latest BARR program developments.

After Irene: If Help Is Needed, What Can You Do?
As state and federal officials from North Carolina to New England assess the damage caused by Hurricane Irene, NBAA is assessing whether members of its Humanitarian Emergency Response Operator (HERO) database can be of assistance in relief efforts. "We'll be paying close attention to those [state] reports as they come out," said NBAA Vice President for Safety, Security & Regulation, Doug Carr. NBAA's HERO database is a list of people in the business aviation community who are part of disaster-response mobilization efforts. In the aftermath of major crises, basic information from the database can be provided to organizations coordinating relief efforts. Enter your data into the HERO list, or learn more about the HERO database.

DOT Releases SIFL Rates for First Half of 2011
The U.S. Department of Transportation recently released Standard Industry Fare Level (SIFL) rates for the six-month period from July 1 to December 31, 2011. This data is necessary when applying the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) aircraft valuation formula to compute values of non-business transportation aboard employer-provided aircraft. Review the SIFL rates.

New NBAA Resource on Reimbursements for Certain Non-Business Flights
Last year, NBAA asked the FAA to reconsider a long-standing legal interpretation, known as the "Schwab Interpretation," regarding reimbursement for certain non-business flights, and in December 2010, the agency issued a modified interpretation that has the effect of allowing some companies up to full-cost reimbursement for such trips. NBAA has published a new Member resource explaining the requirements and issues to be considered before reimbursement can be made, and providing a list of frequently asked questions on this topic. Download the new NBAA resource.

NBAA Continues Support for Annual Citation Jet Pilots Gathering
NBAA will be among the approximately 50 exhibitors featured at the Citation Jet Pilots Owner Pilot Association's third annual national convention, to be held October 26 to 29. "As an exhibitor, this gives NBAA the opportunity for us to speak with owners about the products and services we offer, as well as share news about our advocacy efforts at the federal and state levels," said Mike Nichols, vice president, operations, education & economics. NBAA is also a sponsor of the event, and NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen will be a featured speaker in a panel discussion at the gathering. Read more about the Citation Jet Pilots convention.

Gulfstream Recycles and Dramatically Reduces Waste
Since late 2010, the Gulfstream Aerospace plant in Savannah, GA has recycled more than 1.2 million pounds of workplace waste, including wood, paper, metal, plastic and cardboard. "We are now capturing and recycling 41 percent of our municipal solid waste," said Heidi Fedak of Gulfstream Aerospace Communications. "Ultimately, we'd like to see that number at 100 percent." The recycling program introduced in Savannah will expanded to all 10 of the company's plants nationwide by 2012. Read more about Gulfstream's sustainability efforts.

Business Aviation Insider Technology Issue Now Online
Innovation and the fast pace of technological change are part of what make aviation such a challenging and exciting field. Capturing that excitement, the Technology Issue of NBAA's Business Aviation Insider magazine is now available online, covering the growing use of iPads as electronic flight bags, the LightSquared-GPS controversy, biofuels, new ways for schedulers and dispatchers to stay connected and more. Sponsored by SimCom and Baldwin Aviation, printed issues are mailing to Member subscribers now and in the coming weeks. View Business Aviation Insider online or subscribe today.

Virginia Governor Salutes Business Aviation
Virginia became the 30th state to publicly proclaim the value of general aviation (GA) and business aviation this month when Governor Bob McDonnell declared August 2011 "Virginia Aviation Month." The Old Dominion State was voted "Best State for Business" four years in a row by Forbes magazine and McDonnell said, "business aviation has played a big role in earning that title. There are 220 companies in the [state] that belong to the National Business Aviation Association, the leading organization for companies that rely on GA aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful." Read more of Governor McDonnell's proclamation.

'The Departure of Paper': Use of iPads in Cockpits Continues to Increase
Apple's iPad is a rarity – a consumer product that's found a significant role in aviation. Because of the iPad's low cost and remarkable ease of use, more and more pilots are using the device as an electronic flight bag (EFB) to take the cockpit completely paperless. "It seems like the iPad is exploding in the corporate arena, no matter what's in the panel," said Stoney Truett, who flies for Copper Station Holdings LLC, in Walterboro, SC. The just-released Technology Issue of Business Aviation Insider, sponsored by Baldwin Aviation and SimCom, details all the regulatory requirements and many of the features available for the device. Learn about the increasing use of iPads in business aircraft cockpits.

As EU Considers Increased CO₂ Limits for Some in ETS, Privacy Concerns Emerge
European Union regulators appear willing to ease one restriction on operators impacted by its proposed emissions trading scheme (EU-ETS). The EU aviation authority, Eurocontrol, submitted draft legislation this month raising the threshold of carbon dioxide emissions for the "small emitters" category, a group that includes almost all business aviation operations within the EU. The change would allow a greater number of operators to use a simplified system to calculate their emissions based on the previous year's flight plan data. Separately, privacy concerns have been raised regarding the applicability of carbon-emissions reporting by operators to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. Learn more about these recent EU-ETS developments.

GA Leaders to Join South Dakota Legislators for Rally, Aug. 31
NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen will join leaders from other general aviation associations in an event headlined by South Dakota Senator John Thune (R-SD) and Governor Dennis Daugaard (R-SD) to highlight the industry's value to the state. The rally will showcase the many benefits general aviation provides to the state, including business and recreational flying, life-saving missions, tourist flights and other services. The event, which is being organized by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, will take place on Wednesday, August 31, at 10:30 a.m. local time at Mustang Aviation, located at 4000 Airport Road in Pierre, SD. NBAA Members are welcome to attend the event, particularly those located in South Dakota and surrounding states. Register via e-mail to aviationforum@grassrootssupport.net.

Ohio Businesswoman Donates $10K to Save Local Airport
Angela Phillips, who owns three manufacturing businesses and uses two Beechcraft Baron twin-engine piston aircraft to support the companies, recently donated $10,000 to persuade Huron County commissioners not to sell the Norwalk-Huron County Airport (5A1). "Any city that shuts down its local airport, especially in these economic times, is cutting off its nose to spite its face," said Phillips, who relies on the airport to serve customers. Her financial contribution follows those from other local business leaders. "Community airports are critical, especially for smaller businesses that everybody needs to bring back the economy." Learn more about local efforts to save Norwalk-Huron County Airport.

September Safety Days in Ohio, California, Utah and Missouri
The Ohio Regional Business Aviation Association will be the first of four regional groups to host regional Safety Days next month, when the Ohio Aviation Training Standdown comes to Cleveland on September 14. Other regional safety events will be the Southern California Aviation Association's Safety Standdown in Carlsbad, CA on September 19; the Utah Business Aviation Association's 3rd Annual Safety Day in Ogden, UT on September 28; and the Kansas City Business Aviation Association's Safety Day in Kansas City, MO on September 29. Learn details and register for these and other upcoming regional group events.

In Focus at NBAA2011: Leading With Values at All Levels
Value-based leadership is a management style that incorporates the core values of the organization and its employees into daily business operations, ensuring everyone is working toward the same goals with the same values, creating a more harmonious workplace. "Values get everyone working toward the same things," said Brock Grimes, Director of Aviation for Anadarko Petroleum. How can NBAA Members adopt this management style? Attend the session focusing on the topic at NBAA's 64th Annual Meeting & Convention (NBAA2011), to be held Monday, October 10 to Wednesday, October 12 in Las Vegas, NV. Learn more about value-based leadership.

Applications Available for Two Schedulers & Dispatchers Scholarships
Applications are now available for two NBAA scholarships that promote career advancement for schedulers and dispatchers. The Schedulers & Dispatchers Scholarship offers monetary awards to support professionals pursuing education and training. The Schedulers & Dispatchers Training Scholarship supports participation in specific industry training programs, such as preparing for an FAA-approved aircraft dispatch certificate. The deadline for applications is October 17. Download the applications now.

Sponsorships Available for 2012 Leadership Conference
The next NBAA Leadership Conference will be held in San Diego, CA from February 22 and 23 and the theme for the event is "Leadership = Competence + Character." The 2011 Leadership Conference drew more than 280 attendees with over 30 sponsors supporting the conference. Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum sponsorship levels are available for next year's conference, and all include prominent placement at the event. For more information, contact NBAA's Jay Evans at jevans@nbaa.org, or review results of the 2011 conference.