NBAA Encouraged by Reports of Congressional Agreement on FAA Reauthorization
NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen expressed optimism following news reports that a congressional agreement reached on January 20 is expected to pave the way for House and Senate votes on a reauthorization bill for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). "We are encouraged by the reports that aviation policy leaders in the House and Senate have reached agreement on a long-sought, multi-year reauthorization bill for the FAA.... Having such a measure signed into law is the best way to ensure that the agency has the guidance needed for pursuing long-term initiatives, including implementation of a Next Generation Air Traffic System and other priorities." Read Bolen's statement in its entirety.

Tests Show 'No Practical Solutions' to LightSquared Interference With GPS
In what could be a significant set-back for upstart telecommunications provider LightSquared and its plans to deploy a nationwide 4G wireless network, a joint panel of representatives from nine federal agencies has determined there are "no practical solutions" that would allow LightSquared's proposed broadband service to operate "without significantly interfering with GPS." Learn the latest about the LightSquared controversy.

Report: Business Aviation Accidents Rose Last Year
Safety has always been the top priority of the business aviation community. Although total accidents rose in 2011, business jets operated by professional pilots continued to demonstrate a strong safety record and were not involved in any fatal accidents. The category was involved in five non-fatal accidents in 2011, an increase of two from 2010. Professionally piloted turboprops in 2011 were involved in five accidents, of which two were fatal, compared to the 2010 record of three accidents, of which one was fatal. The data was released in an annual report last week by Robert E. Breiling Associates Inc. Read more about business aviation's safety record in 2011.

Industry United Against Latest White House Message Supporting User Fees
The general aviation community continues to oppose with one voice the Obama administration's proposal for a $100 per flight user fee. In a show of unity, general aviation organizations recently responded to a renewed signal of support for aviation user fees from the White House with a clear message that aviation user fees just won't fly. A special edition of the NBAA Flight Plan podcast takes a look at what voices from across the general aviation community have said. Read more and listen to the podcast.

The Sound of Silence: NextGen Communications
If you've ever been in the cockpit as your aircraft transitioned through a very busy patch of sky, you've no doubt noticed the rapid-fire communications between controllers and flightcrews as they issue and acknowledge complex instructions on speed, heading and altitude. It's a carefully choreographed dance in three dimensions, and in some places, the number of aircraft operations mean controllers are working near capacity. But starting in 2015, the cacophony of controller instructions and pilot read-backs will begin to fade as a vital aspect of the FAA's NextGen concept becomes a reality: data-based communications. Listen to an NBAA Flight Plan interview about NextGen and read the full article.

IBAC, HAI Partner on IS-BAO Programs for Helicopter Operators
Rotorcraft operators now have the opportunity to benefit from the innovative International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO), thanks to a joint effort between the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC), Helicopter Association International (HAI) and other international industry groups. For the first time in IS-BAO's decade-long history, the January 2012 release includes, in some sections, separate language and operational criteria applicable to a wide-range of helicopter operations. "If you were to go back and look at the original imaging for IS-BAO, it was always the intention to include rotorcraft," said IBAC Director General Don Spruston. Learn more about new IS-BAO sections.

Pennsylvania Representative Seeks Aircraft Tax Exemption
Peter Daley is a legislator who understands the business aviation industry's potential to create high-quality jobs and stimulate economic activity in his state. The Pennsylvania state representative has sponsored a bill, HB 1100, to exempt aircraft sales and maintenance from the state's sales and use tax. "This bill would put Pennsylvania in a competitive position in regards to neighboring states," said Daley, "Its biggest impact will be to create jobs here, in our state, in the aircraft maintenance industry." Read more about the proposed tax exemption in Pennsylvania.

State of the Union Address to Impact GA Operations in DC Area
The FAA has released a flight advisory and TFR NOTAM detailing restrictions on GA operations during President Obama's planned State of the Union address in Washington, DC on January 24. From 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. local (25/0100z to 25/0400z), only aircraft on an IFR flight plan arriving and/or departing from Dulles International Airport (IAD), Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI) and Manassas Regional Airport (HEF) may operate in the Washington DC special flight rules area (SFRA). Access for GA aircraft to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and the special ingress/egress procedures for Leesburg Executive Airport (JYO) will also be suspended during the TFR. Review the complete NOTAM.

Business Airplane Saves Lives of Critically Injured in South Carolina
Until last month, getting access to treatment for critically injured people in upstate South Carolina would require either a drive of several hours to a larger city or a long wait for an ambulance aircraft dispatched from neighboring states. Now, the notion of quickly getting to a treatment facility is a reality, thanks to the Beech King Air C90 turboprop added last month by EagleMed, LLC at Greenville's Downtown Airport (GMU). The addition has improved life-saving transfers from that region to critical care facilities in larger cities. Learn more.

NBAA2012 Site Now Live; Key Exhibitor Deadline Is Feb. 17
The Association invites Members to visit the newly launched site of the NBAA 65th Annual Meeting & Convention (NBAA2012), which will be held from October 30 to November 1, 2012, in Orlando, FL. NBAA2012 Exhibitor information is available on the site, and Members are reminded that the Exhibitor Priority Lottery deadline is February 17. Exhibitors must submit applications and full payment by that date in order to receive the discounted exhibit space rate and to be included in the Priority Lottery placement. Applications received without payment will not be processed. For more information about the show or exhibit application process, visit the NBAA2012 web site.

Record-Setting Exhibitor Count Highlights Value of S&D Conference
Held last week in San Diego, CA, NBAA's 23rd Annual Schedulers & Dispatchers (S&D) Conference wrapped up with a record 407 Exhibitors, as well as 2,536 registered Attendees – the event's second-highest turnout and an 11-percent increase over the 2011 conference. Organizers reported packed rooms at many of the more than 30 educational sessions, where schedulers and dispatchers networked and learned new skills with others in the profession. Learn more about the 2012 S&D Conference results.

Get Your Story Published in Business Aviation Insider
Anyone who works in business aviation knows that all flight departments are not alike. No mission is identical and every operation faces unique challenges, but this is an industry of pioneers, with a strong tradition of sharing knowledge and best practices. NBAA wants to know how your company is paving the way for others. Can you help peers in the industry learn what you found out the hard way? Have you developed a new safety procedure for your company or come up with an innovative way to deal with a day-to-day operational challenge? Share your story, and it could be published in Business Aviation Insider for all to read. Send suggestions to NBAA's Amy Hindman at ahindman@nbaa.org or review past issues of Business Aviation Insider.

Final Reminder: NBAA Has a New Payment Address
If Members have not already updated their records with NBAA's new payment address, they should do so immediately, as forwarding services from the old payment address will be suspended next week on January 31. Any new Membership applications or renewal payments should now be sent to: National Business Aviation Association; Attn: Membership; P.O. Box 55481; Boston, MA 02205-5481. Learn more.