Association Thanks U.S. House Leaders for Letter Opposing User Fees
NBAA last week thanked the 195 members of the U.S. House of Representatives who sent a letter to President Obama opposing the $100 per-flight user proposed in the administration’s fiscal 2013 budget. The letter expressed stalwart congressional opposition to this year’s proposed aviation user fee and reminded the president that when past administrations have proposed such fees, “Congress has repeatedly and overwhelmingly rejected them.” NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen praised those who signed the letter, saying, "We thank the congressional leaders whose letter reinforces a clear message of congressional opposition to user fees.” Learn more and review the letter.

NBAA Files Comments on IRS's Proposed Passive Loss Restrictions
As reported here on February 13, NBAA is coordinating a response to proposed Treasury regulations that could limit aircraft passive loss deductions. The regulations, proposed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), would treat certain members of a limited liability company (LLC) as limited partners for purposes of passive loss. This could require an LLC’s aircraft leasing operation be treated as a separate activity. As a result, the LLC’s losses (mostly depreciation, typically) could be suspended indefinitely. NBAA’s comments argue this conflicts with the congressional intent to encourage investment in business assets, including aircraft, through bonus depreciation. NBAA has been informally advised the IRS will consider comments past the February 27 deadline, until the end of March. See sample comments and learn more about the proposed passive loss restrictions.

This Week's Free Webinar to Answer RVSM-Approval Questions
Seven years after RVSM became a reality in the U.S. airspace, there are still questions among business aircraft operators about how to obtain FAA approval to take advantage of RVSM technology. On March 6, NBAA will host a special free webinar bringing together operators and FAA officials for a dialogue on RVSM approval requirements and best practices. Participants must pre-register for the 90-minute webinar, which qualifies for continuing education credit in NBAA’s Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) program. Register for the webinar, or for more details about the event, listen to the NBAA Flight Plan podcast.

Demand for Skilled Workers Expected to Drive Job Gains in 2012
Experts at business aviation placement firms expect hiring in the industry to increase substantially in 2012, especially for avionics and maintenance technicians. “At the very beginning of 2011, we started to see additional headcounts turning,” said Sheryl Barden of Aviation Personnel International. “Now, we’re starting to see flight departments replace retirements, fix people problems within their departments and add employees.” The talent gap in maintenance positions is due to industry shifts that require technicians to be as competent with a computer as with a wrench. Read more about projected hiring trends in 2012.

GA Award Goes to NBAA Maintenance Committee Member
Presented jointly by the FAA and the industry, the annual General Aviation (GA) Awards recognize aviation professionals for their outstanding contributions to education and flight safety. This year’s National Avionics Technician of the Year is Rick Ochs, a member of NBAA’s Maintenance Committee since 2006. “It’s a tremendous honor to be recognized at the national level, and even more humbling knowing the many people that make our aviation system the world standard,” said Ochs, founder and president of Spirit Avionics, a repair station in Columbus, OH. Read more about Ochs and three other GA Award recipients.

Oklahoma Governor Is 'OK' With Business Aviation
Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin gave a rousing endorsement of business aviation on February 28 to assembled local, state and federal officials in Tulsa, and backed up her endorsement with multiple practical examples in the state. One of the state’s goals is to make all 49 of Oklahoma’s regional airports more business-friendly with runways of at least 5,000 feet for business jet operations. In addition, the Aeronautics Commission has committed up to a half million dollars each for communities that want to expand or build a business-friendly terminal building. Also speaking at the Oklahoma event was NBAA Senior Vice President Lisa Piccione, who gave an update on key industry issues and shared the No Plane No Gain campaign message. Learn about Oklahoma’s efforts to attract business aviation.

Go Arounds Can Be Key to Preventing an Excursion
According to Flight Safety Foundation data, nearly two of every three business jet accidents are approach and landing related, and the majority of those mishaps are due to runway excursions. The primary cause of all runway excursions? Failing to go around when making an unstabilized approach, or when runway or weather conditions call for extra caution. “‘Go around’ are the two least-used words in aviation,” said Pat Daily of consulting firm Convergent Performance. “We need to remember that a go-around is a normal procedure.” Read more in Business Aviation Insider’s 4th Annual Safety Issue.

Business Aviation Insider Special Report Focuses on Asia
The potential for business aviation in Asia is enormous. China’s growing economy and rapid pace of business expansion, along with increasing economic growth across the region, are driving the need for air transportation to cover the distances between business locations and to serve new markets. NBAA is dedicated to supporting the industry’s growth in the region, and just ahead of the Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (ABACE2012) this month, the Association has produced a special report, included in the latest edition of Business Aviation Insider, focusing on operational considerations for the region. The information in the section will be useful to those making a first trip to the region, as well as those who have operated in Asia for years. NBAA Members may view the special section on the Business Aviation Insider web site.

Aircraft Parts Exemption Clears Idaho Legislature
Last week, the Idaho House and Senate both passed House Bill 417, supported by NBAA, to exempt certain aircraft parts and components installed on out-of-state aircraft at FAA-approved repair stations from sales and use tax. The bill is now headed to Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter for his signature. In a letter to state senators considering the bill, NBAA explained that the measure will allow the 26 FAA-approved repair stations in Idaho to compete on a level playing field with businesses in neighboring states and potentially add over 170 jobs in the next five years. Learn more.

Operators Should Be Alert to Low Altitude Errors at FTY
NBAA recently has received reports of operators receiving minimum safe altitude warning (MSAW) alerts from air traffic control (ATC) when conducting approaches to Fulton County Airport-Brown Field (FTY) in Atlanta. Although the ATC MSAW systems generates the low altitude alerts, to date the aircraft conducting the approaches were not actually at an unsafe altitude. FAA officials explained that due to certain characteristics of obstacles under approaches to Runway 26 at FTY, combined with software anomalies, low altitude alerts may be issued in error. The FAA is working on software revisions to address this issue, but the changes may not be implemented until early 2013. Operators are cautioned not to assume, however, that a low altitude alert from ATC while on approach to FTY can be ignored and should always comply with controller instructions. Operators are asked to report any low altitude alerts they receive when approaching FTY to NBAA at info@nbaa.org.

Van Nuys Forum Will Explore How Aircraft Insurance Works
There are multiple parts to aviation insurance, but which are triggered after a loss? At NBAA’s Business Aviation Regional Forum in Van Nuys, CA on April 12, Stuart Hope of Hope Aviation Insurance will present an education session on the primary aircraft insurance coverage parts and what they actually cover. The session, “Aviation Insurance Lessons Through the School of Hard Knocks,” will also help operators reduce the risk of accidents and prepare for insurance issues that occur after a loss. Learn more about this and other education sessions at the Van Nuys Regional Forum.

Participate in 2012 Compensation & Benchmark Survey
The annual NBAA Compensation & Benchmark Survey provides a comprehensive review of aviation department personnel salaries and operational data to help NBAA Members better evaluate and run the most effective and efficient flight departments. All data will be held strictly confidential and only NBAA Member Representatives for companies that operate aircraft, or individuals designated by the Member Representative, may enter survey data. Participants will receive free online access to survey results once compiled. Survey responses are due by April 2. Learn more and take the survey.

Register for This Month’s International Operators Conference
The 39th Annual International Operators Conference will be held from March 12 to 15 in San Diego in conjunction with an IS-BAO Workshop on March 11. Sessions topics including security threat and risk assessment, risk mitigation, regulatory restrictions, travel safety management, customs and border issues, and avionics are designed to teach best practices for international operators. The event also provides reviews with operational tips for all regions of the globe. Register now.