NBAA Joins Host of Industry Groups United in Opposing New Taxes, User Fees
NBAA last week joined a host of aviation industry associations in two statements, one to the White House and one to congressional leaders, strongly opposing new taxes and fees proposed by President Obama that would stifle the vital contribution aviation makes to the economy. In a statement directed to President Obama, NBAA and more than half a dozen other general aviation associations urged the president to abandon the $100 per flight user fee in his proposal. Later in the same week, NBAA joined 25 other associations representing virtually the entire U.S. aviation industry in encouraging House and Senate leaders, and the deficit reduction "Super Committee," to focus on increasing U.S. competitiveness rather than viewing the industry as a national piggybank. Read the statement to President Obama and the letters to congressional leaders.

Have You Contacted Congress to Oppose User Fees?
As NBAA and other associations voiced unified opposition last week to the per-flight user fees proposed in President Obama's jobs-and-deficit bill, NBAA also provided a means for association Members to weigh in with their elected officials. Contact Congress, NBAA's online advocacy tool, now features a letter Members can send to their congressional representatives to let them know of the business aviation community's strong opposition to the proposed fees. "NBAA Members have used Contact Congress to very good effect in other policy battles, included those related to safety, taxes and other issues," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. "When our Members write, Congress listens, so we are counting on them to use Contact Congress to make their voices heard on this issue." Use the Contact Congress resource today.

Association Welcomes Bill Giving Industry Greater Voice on TSA Policies
The House Homeland Security Subcommittee earlier this month passed an authorization bill for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) including several measures that would allow increased industry input into security policies affecting general aviation (GA) operators. The measures would create an Aviation Security Advisory Committee; require the TSA to consider permitting GA operators access to some airspace closed by temporary flight restrictions; and bring consistency to the TSA's use of 'security directives.' "We commend the House subcommittee leaders for passing this legislation, which gives business aviation a greater voice in the security policies that impact our industry," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. Read more about the bill.

NBAA Trumpets Exciting Plans in Monday–Wednesday Lineup for Convention
With only two weeks remaining until the ribbon is cut to formally kick off NBAA's 64th Annual Meeting & Convention (NBAA2011) in Las Vegas NV, Convention planners report that this year's event, taking place Monday, October 10 through Wednesday, October 12, is anticipated to meet or exceed expectations from previous years, in large part because of the excitement surrounding the many offerings planned for NBAA2011. "We are very excited to be returning to Las Vegas, and we are delighted that our Monday-through-Wednesday show lineup is being enthusiastically received by Exhibitors and Attendees alike," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. Review the full press release.

College's Aviation Outreach Plan 'Ensures Success in the Cockpit'
Much discussion in the aviation community has focused on what may be done to stem the tide of student pilots who drop out of training before earning their certifications. Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology has launched a new Aviation Outreach Initiative, in which students will undergo ground-school training at Vaughn's New York campus, while also building time on the school's existing full-motion simulators. Learn more about the aviation outreach program.

Podcast: Industry United in Thwarting Latest User Fee Threat
The Obama administration's decision to include per-flight user fees as part of its legislation to address the deficit and jobs crises has been met with unconditional opposition from across the aviation industry. This week's edition of the NBAA Flight Plan podcast features comments from NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen and others who explain their opposition to the proposal. Brad Pierce, the owner of NBAA Member Restaurant Equipment World reports that under the proposal, "I would have had to pay up to $2,500 more. I can't afford that. So I can raise my prices and risk losing customers, or I can fly less and risk losing customers. Either way, I'd lose business." Listen to the podcast or for more information, read the full article.

New Technologies for the Optimized Scheduler
Schedulers and dispatchers are often regarded as the hub of the flight department, so it's important they have the latest technological resources to keep pace with their team. Today's schedulers and dispatchers are using tools like Microsoft SharePoint, Twitter and iPads to stay connected to all aspects of the department's operations. The latest issue of NBAA's Business Aviation Insider – the Technology Issue, sponsored by SimCom and Baldwin Aviation – has more on this topic. Learn how technology can help optimize the performance of schedulers and dispatchers.

2012 London Olympics: Start Planning Now
Panelists at a September 20 general aviation forum focused on preparing for the 2012 London Olympics delivered a single message to companies expecting to be in the area during the games: plan ahead. "We are advising our customers and charter brokers to book early," said panelist Trevor Jones of Gama Aviation. "There will be capacity constraints." Review NBAA's 2012 Olympics resource page and read more about the panel.

IBAC Seeks Applicants for Director General Position
The International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) is seeking a successor for Don Spruston, who has served as the group's director general for the past 12 years, and announced recently that he will leave the post at the end of the year. "The IBAC director general should have a broad understanding of the pressures on the civil aviation system and the capability of influencing positive change," said Spruston. Learn more about the IBAC director general position.

Schedule for 2012 NBAA Regional Forums Announced
NBAA will bring its popular Business Aviation Regional Forums to New Orleans, Van Nuys, Teterboro and Seattle next year, offering venues across the country for Members to discuss operational issues, network and do business. The 2012 Regional Forums will be held at Lakefront Airport (NEW) in New Orleans, LA on February 2; Van Nuys, CA (VNY) on April 12; Teterboro, NJ (TEB) on June 7; and Boeing Field (BFI) in Seattle, WA on September 20. The day-long learning and networking events are like NBAA's annual Convention, "only in miniature," said NBAA Vice President Katrina Bradshaw. Learn more about the 2012 Regional Forums.

FAA to Hold Denver-Area Customer Forum, Oct. 6
The FAA will hold a Denver-Area Customer Forum on October 6 at Denver International Airport (DEN), where several regional FAA offices will be on-hand to discuss issues like winter operations, area navigation, ski season and en route automation modernization. Participating offices include Denver Center, the Western Service Center Operations Support Group, Denver Tower and Denver TRACON. The meeting will be held in the Media Room on the airport from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and parking will be validated. RSVP to FAA's dan.reagin-jr@faa.gov. For more information, contact NBAA's Steve Hadley at shadley@nbaa.org.

NBAA Releases New Owner-Pilot Reimbursement Handbook
With a light business airplane, owner-pilots can do business much more efficiently, avoiding hub-and-spoke airline routing and traveling to multiple locations in a single day. Often, owner-pilots also fly business partners and coworkers and can be eligible for reimbursement on many of these missions. NBAA has a new resource with guidance on reimbursement for owner-pilots providing common and private carriage. The Reimbursement of Flight Expenses for Owner-Pilots Handbook covers the privileges and limitations for private and commercial pilots under the Federal Aviation Regulations, FAA guidance and typical aviation insurance policies. Learn more about the owner-pilot handbook.

Last Call for Gold Wing Award Applications; Due Sept. 30
Applications for NBAA's Gold Wing Award for Reporting Excellence, which recognizes journalism's important role in making known the value and contributions of business aviation, are due September 30. The award is presented each year at NBAA's Annual Meeting & Convention for excellent, accurate and insightful reporting on issues related to business aviation, by trade or nontrade media. Download the Gold Wing application now.