Business Aviation to Have Continued Voice on TSA Policies
In a notice last week, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) confirmed that NBAA will be included among 24 other industry groups named to the agency's Aviation Security Advisory Committee (ASAC). In previous administrations, NBAA has been a member of ASAC, a committee that provides feedback on the potential impact of TSA procedures and regulations on the industry, but last week's notice was the first confirmation that NBAA's participation would continue during the Obama administration. "We are pleased that the current leadership at TSA and DHS intends to continue including a business aviation representative on the ASAC," said Doug Carr, NBAA vice president for safety, security & regulation. Learn more about the ASAC.

House Chairman: GA Won't Accept 99% Solution to LightSquared Problem
At an October hearing before the House Small Business Committee, LightSquared executive Jeffrey Carlisle testified that the telecommunications company could resolve interference issues for "99 percent of the GPS users" by moving its signal to a more remote bandwidth. Shortly after, Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-6- MO) and eight other lawmakers responded in a letter calling on the Federal Communications Commission to halt action on LightSquared's proposal until a solution with absolute certainty could be found. "This is not an acceptable answer or solution for general aviation," the letter states. "The FAA has very specific requirements for safety and 1 percent tolerances are not acceptable – 100 percent accuracy is needed to ensure a safe flight for general aviation (GA)." Read more about the LightSquared issue.

FAA Provides Guidance on Avoiding Runway Excursions
Following a runway excursion at Wyoming's Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) involving a Part 121 carrier, the FAA has issued a safety alert for operators (SAFO) outlining best practices for preventing excursions. From 2007 to 2010, there were 20 runway excursions reported at JAC, evenly split between Part 121 carriers and general aviation operators. The best practices and mitigation strategies outline in the SAFO are designed to ensure that flightcrews conduct stabilized approaches and touchdown with accuracy – on speed, on path, configured and landing at a point on the runway, within the touchdown zone to ensure the aircraft can be stopped on the runway. Learn more about avoiding runway excursions.

FAA Reminds Operators to Review TCAS II Training Procedures
With many business aircraft now equipped with Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) II equipment, the FAA is reminding operators to ensure that their training programs are consistent with FAA guidance. Data from the FAA indicates that aircraft operating under Parts 91, 91K, 125 and 135 account for 41 percent of TCAS resolution advisories (RAs). These pilots also have a lower RA compliance rate when compared to pilots conducting flights under Part 121. While FAA guidance permits non-compliance with RAs under certain circumstances, operators should still review the training material to ensure they are taking the appropriate actions in case of an RA. Learn more about TCAS II.

FAA Seeks More Bird-Strike Reporting at Community Airports
A fresh FAA initiative to increase bird-strike reporting has launched for the benefit of general aviation (GA). The new campaign is employing Internet technology for the first time, allowing reporting through the FAA's bird-strike database on the web. "We would particularly like to hear from GA airport sponsors telling us why reporting is low so we can work with them to increase reporting and reduce wildlife strikes," said FAA spokeswoman Marcia Alexander-Adams. Learn more about reporting bird strikes online.

Texas Governor Declares November 'Aviation Appreciation Month'
Calling the aviation industry in Texas "a critical component of our economy and our way of life," Texas Governor Rick Perry has issued a proclamation declaring November as "Aviation Appreciation Month" in the State of Texas. "Today, there are nearly 400 general aviation (GA) airports in the Lone Star State and more than 31,000 GA aircraft are registered here," said Perry. "From pilots to mechanics to service industry workers in our airports, thousands of Texans rely on the aviation industry for employment." A recent study counted 61,000 Texas aviation jobs with a payroll of $2.5 billion. Learn more about the Texas proclamation.

Does Your Flight Department Have a Succession Plan?
Many flight departments are led by directors with decades of experience who have earned the trust of their teams. What happens when they retire? "A certain number of people can create high-performing organizations for a short period of time, but when they leave, the organization declines," said Randy Hudon, who ran BellSouth's flight department for many years. "To sustain a high-performing organization, you have to build bench strength." Now online and sponsored by ViaSat, the Management Issue of Business Aviation Insider explores the importance and challenges of succession planning in the flight department – and best practices for where to begin. Read the full Business Aviation Insider story.

Top Officials Commit to CBAA/NBAA Cross-Border Conference
With commitments to participate from high-level officials in the U.S. and Canadian governments, the Cross-Border Issues Conference hosted by the Canadian Business Aviation Association (CBAA) and NBAA on December 8 and 9 in Toronto is shaping up to be a must-attend event. The Canadian Transportation Agency, charged with developing policies on cabotage restrictions, will be represented by a top-level official. Representatives from the Canada Border Services Agency, which is responsible for operating programs such as CANPASS, as well as regulators from both the U.S. Department of Transportation and Customs and Border Protection, will also be participating. For insight and solutions to the challenges of operating across the U.S.-Canadian border, register for the Cross-Border Issues Conference.

NBAA Brings Part 91 Tax & Regulatory Workshop to Denver on Dec. 1
In partnership with the Colorado Aviation Business Association, NBAA's Tax Committee will hold a new, interactive workshop designed specifically for today's Part 91 flight department personnel and their "downtown" counterparts from company headquarters. To be held on December 1 in Denver, CO, the program will identify and address tax and regulatory issues faced by business aviation managers, drawing on the insights and experiences of both faculty and attendees. Registration is limited to employees of in-house Part 91 flight departments. Learn more and register for the Part 91 Flight Department Tax & Regulatory Issues Workshop.

Thanksgiving Route Requirements Expected Between Northeast and Southeast
Operators can expect some required routes the week of Thanksgiving between the Northeast regional and Florida. Flights out of the New York satellite airports typically filed over the WHITE departure fix can expect required offloads during specific times of the week. Alternate routes via the deep water offshore routes can be used in lieu of the required inland routes. The deep water routes include the AZEZU and ATLANTIC playbook routes. The ATLANTIC playbook routes will utilize the offshore military airspace expected to be released to the FAA between November 23 and 27. Operators should monitor the Air Traffic Control System Command Center Advisories web page for daily up-to-date route requirements and recommendations. Additional details can be found on the NBAA's ATC Issues and Procedures site.

Southeast Operators: Brush Up on Maintenance and Safety Skills
This week, three regional events will help those in the Southeast brush up on their maintenance and safety skills. The Georgia Business Aviation Association will host a Maintenance Seminar and IA Refresher on November 15 in Atlanta, GA. Also on November 15, the FAA Safety Team will hold a Corporate Pilot Safety Event at the Duke Energy hangar in Charlotte, NC, and on November 16, Duke Energy also will host a Business Aviation Maintenance Seminar. Direct questions about Southeast Region activities to NBAA's Harry Houckes at hhouckes@nbaa.org. To RSVP and learn more about these regional seminars, visit the NBAA Upcoming Regional Events web page.

Attend Regional Meetings This Week in Hartford, Bedford, St. Louis
NBAA encourages Members to learn more about the following regional business aviation group meetings being held this week: Connecticut Business Aviation Group quarterly luncheon meeting, November 15, Hartford, CT; Massachusetts Business Aviation Association meeting, November 17, Bedford, MA; and Greater St. Louis Business Aviation Association luncheon meeting, November 18, Maryland Heights, MO. Additionally, the South Florida Business Aviation Association will hold its annual charity event and dinner on November 18 in Boca Raton, FL. To RSVP for these and other events, visit the NBAA Regional Events web page.

Mailing Now: Business Aviation Insider Management Issue
The Management issue of Business Aviation Insider, the official Member publication of NBAA, is now online, with features on succession planning, new technology for human resources, deciding when to take maintenance in-house and much more. Sponsored by ViaSat, this edition also has the results of the 2011 reader survey. Printed issues are mailing to Member subscribers now and in the coming weeks. Read Business Aviation Insider online or subscribe today.

New PDP Committee Chair Brings Expansive Vision to His Role
The new chairman of NBAA's Professional Development Program (PDP) Review Committee, Erik Perkins, is a longtime NBAA Schedulers & Dispatchers (S&D) Committee member who says his first priority will be to expand PDP's current comprehensive list of course offerings to an even broader base of NBAA Members. "While my background and heart are with the S&D community, my commitment is to the development and growth of training for all members involved in the business aviation arena," said Perkins, a flight coordinator with ExxonMobil Aircraft Operations in Dulles, VA. Learn more about Perkins and his plans for PDP.

NBAA Update Marks 10th Anniversary
The Association marked an important landmark over the weekend: the 10th anniversary of NBAA Update, its weekly e-newsletter. NBAA Update was launched following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, to circulate operational and regulatory news to the industry more quickly and regularly amid the changing security environment. Since that first issue on November 12, 2001, the publication has appeared every Monday without fail, although it has changed considerably over the years, and has reported on considerable changes in the industry. Read more about the last 10 years of NBAA Update.