NBAA: Administration's Proposal for Business Aircraft Taxation at Odds With Job-Creation Agenda
NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen today issued the following statement in response to news that President Obama's jobs plan, unveiled today, includes a provision singling out business aviation with a proposal to lengthen tax-depreciation schedules for business aircraft, thereby reversing a decades-old IRS policy for taxation of the asset, and removing a proven incentive for the purchase of business aircraft. "The president's proposal to lengthen depreciation schedules for general aviation aircraft seems directly at odds with the stated purpose of the proposed legislation, which is to create jobs. The president himself has said shorter depreciation schedules create jobs. With that in mind, it is difficult to see how this latest proposal could support his broader goal of addressing the nation's job crisis." Review the press release.

NBAA Welcomes House Language to Preserve BARR Program
NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen today welcomed language included in a congressional appropriations bill to preserve the Block Aircraft Registration Request (BARR) program. Rep. Tom Latham (R-4-IA), who chairs the House Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, included a provision to preserve the BARR in the annual appropriations bill for the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development. "Chairman Latham and other leaders in Congress recognize that the government's move to severely curtail the BARR program represents an unwarranted invasion of the privacy of aircraft owners and operators, a threat to the competitiveness of U.S. companies and a potential security risk to persons on board general aviation aircraft," Bolen said. Review the BARR program news.

House Committee Approves Bill Prohibiting EU-ETS in the U.S.
NBAA applauds the House Transportation Committee for approving legislation prohibiting U.S. participation in the European effort to limit and tax carbon emissions from civil aircraft. The committee voted unanimously Friday to send H.R. 2594, the "European Union Emissions Trading Scheme [EU-ETS] Prohibition Act of 2011" to the floor of the House for a vote. "We appreciate the strong, united message this proposed legislation sends to the EU against the imposition of a new carbon tax on companies based outside its borders," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. Learn about the proposed legislation involving EU-ETS.

GPS Benefits Outweigh LightSquared's Claims in Hearing
At a September 8 hearing before a House committee, industry representatives expressed concern about the potential impact the deployment of a nationwide wireless communications network, such as the one proposed by LightSquared, would have on Global Positioning System (GPS) signals. In prepared remarks, Anthony Russo of the National Coordination Office for Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing noted that extensive testing by the GPS industry and others "conclusively demonstrates harmful interference from LightSquared's intended deployment of their high power terrestrial broadband system." Learn more about GPS industry concerns.

NBAA2011 to Feature Major Leaders in Industry, Government
An unprecedented lineup of five outstanding leaders from the aviation industry and government will be featured speakers at the Opening General Session for the NBAA 64th Annual Meeting & Convention (NBAA2011) in Las Vegas, NV. The full Convention will be held Monday, October 10 through Wednesday, October 12, 2011. The speakers are: U.S. Senator Joseph "Joe" Manchin III (D-WV); Federal Aviation Administration Administrator J. Randolph "Randy" Babbitt; National Transportation Safety Board Chairwoman Deborah A. P. Hersman; John Deere & Company Agricultural and Turf Division President Dave Everitt; and doctor, pilot and former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee. Review NBAA2011 Opening General Session details.

NBAA2011 Site a Top Location for Conducting Business
Less than one month from today, NBAA will return to Las Vegas, NV, for its 64th Annual Meeting & Convention. Las Vegas is a city with a well-deserved reputation as a place to do serious business. The Wall Street Journal recently cited a study showing Las Vegas as the second most popular business travel destination in the United States. The Nevada city placed between New York City and Chicago on the list, which measured the number of hotel room nights that business travelers stayed in those cities. Learn more about the appeal of Las Vegas to business travelers.

FAA: Heed ATIS Messages During Runway Construction
Many airports across the country have runways under construction that may be shortened temporarily. In an effort to reduce risks associated with conducting operations during runway construction, the FAA is alerting operators to keywords in Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) messages. The FAA recently issued a call for operators to pay close attention to ATIS messages and to takeoff and landing clearances. Review InFO 11015 now.

Unmanned Aircraft: Will Deployment Impact Business Aviation?
There is little doubt that a future in which unmanned vehicles share the open skies with manned aircraft is on the horizon. The greatest challenge lies in how to ensure that unmanned aircraft are ready to safely navigate the skies outside the controlled environment of a restricted test area, or over a military base. NBAA Director, Air Traffic Services & Infrastructure Bob Lamond says the FAA "is being appropriately cautious" in moving forward with wider deployment of unmanned aircraft systems (UASs). "They are listening carefully to the traditional operator base," he adds, "and listening to our concerns." Learn more about UASs.

DOT Corrects SIFL Rates for Second Half of 2011
The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced that the Standard Industry Fare Level (SIFL) rates issued on August 25 for the six-month period from July 1 to December 31, 2011 were incorrect. 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. NBAA has published the corrected rates on its web site. Review the corrected SIFL rates.

In the Nation's Capital, a Bumpy Ride for Business Aviation
The business aviation community, like many industries, continues to rebuild in this still-turbulent economy. Unfortunately, people's confidence that a full recovery will be a reality in the near term has been held in check by disparaging comments and punitive policy proposals emanating from Washington. In his column appearing in the September/October issue of Business Aviation Insider, NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen takes stock of industry challenges and opportunities so far in 2011, and details the Association's forceful, continuing response to those who attempt to vilify business aviation. Review Bolen's message to Members.

Following 9/11 Anniversary: A Time for Increased Flight-Line Vigilance
As Americans solemnly commemorated the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, the FBI and Transportation Security Administration issued an advisory highlighting the need for continued vigilance and offering guidance and resources for reporting suspicious activity. At the same time, FBI representatives have been quick to point out the effective security measures GA has in place. So what specific security precautions should business aircraft operators take in the days following the 9/11 anniversary? To hear an FBI official and business aviation representative explore the issue, listen to the NBAA Flight Plan podcast, and review the article.

NBAA Briefs Chinese Delegation on Business Aviation in the U.S.
China's rapid economic growth is driving a need for business aviation to cover distances between major domestic locations and serve new markets – that was the message from a delegation of officials from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) at a recent briefing at NBAA Headquarters. The group traveled to Washington for several briefings with industry groups to learn more about aviation policies in the U.S., and the regulatory systems needed to support a robust business aviation community. The delegation was led by CAAC Deputy Director Jin Junhao. Learn about the Chinese delegation's visit with NBAA.

TFRs in New York Area for UN General Assembly
The FAA plans to issue temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) during the 66th United Nations (UN) General Assembly session later this month in New York City. The first TFR, in effect from September 13 to 30, only impacts the Manhattan heliports; however, IFR operations to the heliports will be allowed. The second TFR, in effect from September 19 to 21, will prohibit GA operations at LaGuardia (LGA), but aircraft meeting the TFR requirements will be able to access Republic (FRG), Westchester County (HPN) and Teterboro (TEB) airports. During this TFR, gateway procedures will be established at FRG and Linden (LDJ) for helicopters operating to and from the Manhattan heliports. The third TFR, in effect from September 19 to 21, will provide ingress/egress procedures for traffic to and from Morristown Municipal (MMU). Finally, the fourth TFR in effect from September 19 to 21 will prohibit GA operations at JFK. Review the TFR details.

Teterboro Meeting on More Efficient VFR Departure
To educate operators about the Dalton 19 departure, a visual flight rules (VFR) procedure designed to reduce delays at New Jersey's Teterboro, the Teterboro Users Group (TUG) is hosting a meeting on September 21 on the airport. The meeting will feature a group discussion on establishing best practices for requesting and flying the procedure, as well as presentations by TUG, Teterboro Tower and several FAA regional agencies. Beginning at 9:30 a.m., the meeting is open to members and non-members of TUG and will be held in the Port Authority Conference Room located at 90 Moonachie Avenue. Lunch will be provided. For more information, contact NBAA's Dean Saucier at dsaucier@nbaa.org.

Jim Cannon to Receive NBAA's John Winant Award
At this year's NBAA Convention, longtime aviation leader and former NBAA director Jim Cannon will receive the John Winant Award for his service to business aviation well beyond his tenure on the Association's Board of Directors. "Jim Cannon has been a steadfast, effective advocate for business aviation in the years following his work on NBAA's Board of Directors," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. Cannon has chaired the volunteer activities for NBAA's Atlanta-based Conventions, co-authored a forthcoming book on business aviation and currently serves as program director for the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO). Read more about Cannon and the Winant Award.

Going to Aviation Summit This Month? Visit NBAA's Booth
NBAA invites all Members and others planning to attend the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Aviation Summit this month to visit NBAA Booth #827 to meet staff and learn the latest news about Member benefits. AOPA Summit will be held in Hartford, CT from September 22 to 24. Direct questions to NBAA at membership@nbaa.org. Learn more about NBAA Member benefits.

Call for Speakers: Maintenance Management Conference
NBAA is pleased to announce its call for speakers for presentations at the Association's Maintenance Management Conference in Nashville, TN from May 1 to 3, 2012. Proposals for presentations on topics such as regulatory compliance, safety, leadership and the latest aircraft technologies are welcome. Proposals are due by September 30. Review the request for proposals.

Deadline for CASS Speaker Proposals Is This Friday
There's just one week left for a chance to participate as a speaker at the 57th Annual Corporate Aviation Safety Seminar (CASS), to be held on April 18 and 19 in San Antonio, TX. Presented by Flight Safety Foundation and NBAA, CASS is the premier forum for the discussion and exchange of safety information for business aviation operations. Speaker proposals are due September 16 and requested topics include human factors, flight operations quality assurance (FOQA), cabin safety, runway excursions and more. View the call for papers.