NBAA Blasts Latest User Fee Push in President's Budget Proposal
The Association today denounced the latest attempt from the White House to impose a per-flight user fee on general aviation, and said industry would need to engage Congress to stop the renewed threat. Per-flight user fees are included in President Obama’s fiscal year 2013 federal spending proposal, released today. Along with the concern raised by the president’s user fee proposal, the White House budget sends a mixed message on two other key issues: funding for a Next Generation (“NextGen”) air traffic system and depreciation schedules on business aircraft. “Proposals from the White House are serious business,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen, “but they cannot become law unless they are approved by Congress. Over the past several years, the general aviation community has worked with Congress to successfully beat back a number of bad ideas proposed by the White House – we can do it again by getting everyone active and engaged with their elected officials.” Learn more.

GA, Airlines Defend GPS in Congressional Hearing
The U.S. airline trade association joined forces with the general aviation (GA) community on February 8 to send a unified message to congress: Global Positioning System (GPS) technology is too important to aviation safety to risk interference by emerging technologies. In a hearing on the critical nature of GPS held by the Aviation Subcommittee of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) President and CEO Craig Fuller reinforced that message in testimony before the subcommittee. NBAA is a member of the Coalition to Save Our GPS, along with AOPA and dozens of other organizations. Learn more.

Send FAA Comments on Part 135 Training Notice by Feb. 27
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently issued a draft notice that would require FAA inspectors to review Part 135-approved training programs to identify and correct programs that erroneously issued credit for previous training or checking. The notice also provides guidance on constructing reduced-hour training programs based on previous experience. Members of NBAA’s Domestic Operations Committee and staff met last week with the FAA to discuss concerns with the proposed requirement raised by NBAA Members. The deadline to submit comments on the draft notice is February 27 and NBAA encourages Part 135 operators to send their comments to the FAA. Learn more and submit comments on the Part 135 training draft notice.

NBAA Urges Industry Comment on Proposed Passive Loss Restrictions
Comments are due to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by February 27 with respect to proposed Treasury regulations that would treat certain LLC members as limited partners for purposes of passive loss limitations. In certain circumstances, these proposed regulations could require that an LLC’s aircraft leasing operation be treated as a separate activity for passive loss purposes. The result would be that the LLC’s losses, typically consisting primarily of depreciation, could be suspended indefinitely. NBAA believes these proposed regulations directly conflict with congressional intent to encourage investment in business assets, including aircraft, through bonus depreciation and accelerated depreciation. NBAA encourages Members, particularly those owning aircraft in LLCs, to submit comments to the IRS to stop these proposed regulations. Learn more about these proposed regulations and sample comments.

As Election Season Heats Up, Concerns Grow About Increased VIP TFRs
Presidential election seasons typically bring about an increase in temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) on general aviation flights as candidates hit the campaign trail, and the potential impact of increased restrictions is a concern as the 2012 election season gets underway. “The inner ring of the presidential TFRs shut down airports to GA traffic,” said Dean Snell, NBAA GA Desk assistant manager. Since TFRs can be complicated and difficult to decipher, NBAA has produced a new web resource designed to assist operators in understanding the different types of TFRs, how they are structured and how they impact business aviation. View NBAA’s new TFR resource page, and review industry steps to minimize the impact of VIP TFRs without compromising security.

Podcast: Independent Contractor or Employee? It Could Be an Expensive Decision
As flight operations are often pushed to “do more with less” in the current economic climate, the use of contract labor is on the rise. But in a remarkably complex environment where there are almost as many different definitions of contract labor as there are governmental entities trying to regulate the practice, an employer’s failure to properly classify an employee could be costly. The subject was discussed in a recent NBAA webinar about independent contractor best practices, and experts discuss the topic in this week’s edition of the NBAA Flight Plan podcast.

Senate GA Champion Reminds Colleagues of Industry’s Value
As the business aviation community knows well, Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS) has long been a champion for all general aviation, including business aviation. The senator re-affirmed that support last week in floor remarks he made during the debate over a bill for reauthorizing the FAA. His comments reflected the themes of the No Plane No Gain advocacy campaign. “This industry [general aviation] contributes over $150 billion to the national economy each year, and has created over 1.3 million jobs – if anyone wants to talk about job creation, this is the outfit that does it – across a broad range of disciplines. And it allows companies the ability to access all facilities all across the globe.” Visit the No Plane No Gain web site to view Roberts’ remarks in support of the industry.

Bolen Highlights Flaws in Minnesota Paper’s Business Aviation Coverage
When the Minneapolis Star-Tribune published a recent story quoting several sources critical of business aviation, while all but omitting an explanation of its value to companies, NBAA was quick to respond with an op-ed from Association President and CEO Ed Bolen. “We know that all companies prize productivity, flexibility and dependability in their business dealings. These are the hallmarks of business aviation,” Bolen said. “In fact, approximately 95 percent of the companies ranked by leading business magazines as America's ‘most innovative,’ ‘most admired,’ ‘best brand,’ or ‘best customer service companies’ rely on business aviation.” Review Bolen’s op-ed on the Star-Tribune site.

Making an Economic Argument Key to Successful Advocacy
With local leaders today focused on creating jobs, regional business aviation groups are finding that making an economic argument is often crucial to advocating for the industry. For example, the Ohio Regional Business Aviation Association (ORBAA) worked with local business groups to persuade U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials to improve clearance procedures for business aircraft at Ohio's Port Columbus International Airport (CMH). “When we mentioned that some flight departments were avoiding the airport... when we explained what economic impact this was having, then the ball got rolling,” said ORBAA Vice President Mark Myers. Read more about the advocacy effort in Columbus in a Business Aviation Insider online extra.

Italy Provides Additional Details on Business Aircraft Tax
As NBAA previously reported, the Italian parliament recently approved an emergency budget that includes a tax on any private aircraft that spends more than 48 consecutive hours in Italian territory. Last week, the Italian government published a regulation explaining the tax is due on all aircraft that spent more than 48 consecutive hours in Italy beginning retroactively on December 6, 2011, when the law went into effect. The tax is payable by March 2012. The regulation leaves many unanswered questions and NBAA is working with the European Business Aviation Association in an effort to mitigate the impact of the tax on business aircraft. Learn more about the new Italian aircraft tax.

International Fallout From EU-ETS Continues
Delegates from 26 nations will meet in Moscow later this month to discuss ways they will combat the European Union's recently implemented Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). It is the latest rumbling in a growing series of international protests over the program. The 26 signatories to the New Delhi letter agreed last year to lodge a protest over EU-ETS, with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which they – along with many aviation groups, including NBAA – believe should govern global efforts to reduce aviation emissions. Learn more about the latest EU-ETS developments.

Renowned Publisher Steve Forbes to Keynote ABACE2012 Gala
Steve Forbes, the chairman and editor-in-chief of Forbes Media, will serve as keynote speaker for the gala dinner on the opening night of the Asian Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (ABACE2012), to be held from March 27 to 29 in Shanghai. "We are very excited to have Steve Forbes joining us at ABACE2012," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “Steve is widely recognized for his ability to spot and analyze business trends, and we very much look forward to hearing Steve’s insights and perspectives about the potential for business aviation in Asia." Read more about Steve Forbes and the program at ABACE2012.

Slot Reservations Cancelled for Eagle and Rifle This Weekend
As part of a long-sought-after goal of NBAA, the FAA has cancelled the e-STMP slot reservation program for arrivals into Eagle (EGE) and Rifle (RIL) during this Presidents’ Day holiday weekend. Operators should note that the e-STMP slot reservation program for arrivals into Aspen (ASE) will proceed as originally scheduled. The FAA will use other traffic management initiatives as needed in lieu of slot reservations for Eagle and Rifle. If operating into Eagle or Rifle, it is recommended that operators file their flight plans as soon as possible. Any flight that is filed after a ground delay program has been implemented will be considered unknown demand and is subject to additional delay. NBAA will continue to work with the FAA to attempt to eliminate slot reservation requirements where able in the NAS. For more information, contact the NBAA GA Desk at gadesk@nbaa.org.

Fort Lauderdale International Runway Project Begins in April
Runway 9R/27L at Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International (FLL) will close on April 17 for a complete rehabilitation and extension, continuing until September 2014. The project will cause operational constraints that may result in delays at times of peak demand. During the closure, other significant changes will be made on the airport, including modifications to the taxiway infrastructure and the decommissioning of Runway 13/31 in May 2013. From that date until September 2014, the airport will be down to one operational runway. For details on the construction project, and updates in advance of flying to the airport, see NBAA’s FLL web page.

Next NBAA Regional Forum Is in Van Nuys on Apr. 12
Following NBAA’s successful return to New Orleans with this month’s Business Aviation Regional Forum, the Association is bringing its next locally focused day-long learning and networking event to Van Nuys, CA. The Van Nuys event will bring together the West Coast business aviation community and provide an introduction to local leaders interested in learning more about the industry. NBAA is still welcoming applications for exhibits and sponsorships. Learn more about exhibiting at and participating in the Van Nuys Regional Forum.

Westchester Maintenance Group Works to Strengthen Profession
Founded in 1960, the Westchester Aircraft Maintenance Association is known in the region served by Westchester County Airport (HPN) in White Plains, NY, and beyond for its professional education activities. For example, A&P students and technicians who are out of work due to the economy are invited to the association’s monthly dinner meetings free of charge. WAMA has also arranged for out-of-work technicians to attend technical training from OEMs at no charge. Learn more about the Westchester maintenance group.

Gulfstream, Savannah Technical College Focus on Job Creation
The new aviation training facility at the Crossroad Campus of the Savannah Technical College (STC) is the result of a partnership between Gulfstream in Savannah and the college that started in 2006. When finished next year, the new facility will add between 50 and 75 new A&Ps and avionics technicians yearly to the skilled labor pool. Learn more about job creation efforts in Savannah.

ABACE2012 Site Has Online Registration, Visa Guidance
ABACE2012 registration is now open for Attendees, Exhibitors and members of the press. Those traveling to Shanghai from outside China to attend ABACE2012 will need a visa to enter the country, and Attendees in some countries may be required to have a visa invitation letter from a Chinese entity in order to get a visa. The ABACE web site has guidance, resources and contact information to ensure Attendees have all the paperwork necessary to participate in the show. Learn more about ABACE2012 and register now.

Sign Up for Next Week’s Leadership Conference
Coming to San Diego, CA on February 22 and 23, the NBAA Leadership Conference will offer tools for executive education, networking for ongoing career advancement and much more. Hear from leadership experts Ken Blanchard and John Maxwell as well as memory expert Ron White on how to improve your connections with people to become a stronger leader. This year’s conference theme focuses on building competence and life skills to grow as a leader. Register now to gain new insights into aviation leadership.

Call for Speakers: NBAA’s Flagship Convention in Orlando
The Association invites education session proposals for the NBAA 65th Annual Meeting & Convention (NBAA2012), to be held October 30 to November 1 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. Proposals on any topic relevant to business aircraft owners and operators are welcome. Sessions must contain relevant educational content and may not be specific company updates, marketing presentations or commercial in nature. The deadline for proposals is February 29. Review the NBAA2012 call for speakers.

Flying Safety Award Applications Due Mar. 1
Applications for NBAA’s Flying Safety Awards, which recognize years and hours of accident-free service through 2011, are due March 1. These annual awards are endorsed by the National Safety Council, attesting to the professionalism of a company's management, maintenance, pilot and support teams. Learn more and apply for a 2012 NBAA Flying Safety Award.