FAA Provides Guidance on Avoiding Mode S Flight ID Errors
Air traffic control systems worldwide are now much more reliant on information transmitted by Mode S transponders to manage air traffic. In addition to other parameters, Mode S transponders provide a flight identification (FLT ID) to ATC systems. The FLT ID allows ATC to uniquely identify each aircraft within specific airspace and correlate the aircraft to a filed flight plan. This means that the FLT ID must exactly match the aircraft identification information (call sign) entered in the flight plan form. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently provided guidance on how operators can ensure the FLT ID from their transponder matches exactly with flight plan information. Review the FAA guidance and learn more about Mode S.

Consider Insurance If Moving Aircraft Off FAA Registry
Sometimes, a company needs to transfer ownership of an aircraft to a foreign subsidiary, or for regulatory reasons, wants to explore the option of moving the aircraft "offshore." While this may sound advantageous, the issues are complicated and varied. This subject was addressed in depth during a session at the 2011 NBAA Tax, Regulatory & Risk Management Conference, and a new article addressing insurance considerations for moving off the FAA Registry is available for NBAA Members. Authored by a member of NBAA's Aviation Insurance Committee, Christa Hinckley, the article discusses policy and risk management considerations aircraft owners must be aware of before moving an aircraft to a new registry. Review the session presentation and article now.

Airports Key to Aviation's Success Story, Bolen Tells Airport Leaders
Airports are essential to the infrastructure needed to maintain America's economic leadership, NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen told an audience of airport leaders who were in Washington, DC last week to meet with lawmakers. "Airports, airlines, general aviation – we're all part of the same ecosystem," Bolen said at the spring legislative conference held jointly by the American Association of Airport Executives and Airports Council International-North America. "We're all in aviation and we're in this together." Bolen was invited by the airports associations to discuss NBAA's advocacy efforts, and he shared with them key aspects of the No Plane No Gain advocacy campaign to educate policymakers and opinion leaders about the importance of business aviation. Read more of Bolen's airport advocacy message.

ABACE2012 Will Open With Full Exhibit Floor, Aircraft Display
The highly anticipated Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (ABACE2012) opens this week at China's Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport. Attendees will have access to a completely full show floor with more than 150 Exhibitors, spread throughout the large maintenance hangar at the new Shanghai Hawker Pacific Business Aviation Service Centre, and across an exhibitor pavilion that has been added immediately adjacent to the hangar in order to meet demand. Just outside the exhibit area, 31 aircraft will be on display. Top government officials from China and the U.S. will participate in the show, which will also feature a full lineup of education sessions detailing everything attendees need to know to take advantage of the benefits of business aircraft. Learn more about ABACE2012.

NBAA Members Use Contact Congress to Oppose User Fees
After President Obama once again released a budget proposal that included a per-flight user fee for general aviation, NBAA Members took to the Association's Contact Congress resource to reinforce their opposition to the fees with their elected officials. And according to Members, using the online advocacy tool is working. "I used it a few weeks ago to ask Senator Scott Brown [R-MA] to support general aviation [GA] and join the Senate GA Caucus, and I got a real response," said Gil Wolin of Wolin Aviation Consulting in Wayland, MA. "It wasn't a form letter; this was a phone call direct from his office." Use Contact Congress today and read more advocacy success stories.

How Will China Address Its Business Pilot Shortage?
At about 200 aircraft, the business jet fleet in China is modest, but growing rapidly. The country will need 500 to 1,000 new pilots to match the anticipated growth in its business aircraft utilization, estimates Roger Whyte, an expert on business aviation in Asia and special counsel to NBAA. "There's just no clear picture where they'll come from," he says. "There is no formal training program or career path that exists in China to develop pilots for business aviation." This creates a unique opportunity for foreign training professionals. Read more in a special "Focus on Asia" section in the latest edition of Business Aviation Insider.

Podcast: EBAA Commissions New Study to Recognize Industry's Benefits
European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) Chairman Fabio Gamba is the first to admit this is a tough year for business aviation in Europe. "[It] is an extremely important year," he said as he ticked off the regulatory and economic challenges facing business aviation across the Atlantic. But in the face of what he termed "strong headwinds," Gamba is determined to remind Europe what business aviation is worth by commissioning a new study on European business aviation. NBAA gets the survey details from Gamba in this week's NBAA Flight Plan podcast. Learn more and listen to the podcast.

NBAA Provides Guidance to Operators on Mexico Overflight Fees
Operators overflying the Mexican Flight Information Region (FIR) and not landing in the country should be aware of overflight fees imposed by SENEAM, the provider of air navigation services in Mexico. While the Mexican authority to collect these fees has been in place since 2002, the government has recently denied aircraft access to the Mexican FIR for nonpayment of fees. The overflight fees must be calculated by each operator and paid to SENEAM. Operators should not expect to receive a bill for the fees; they must be self-reported and paid in full to ensure access to the Mexican FIR. Learn more about access to Mexican airspace.

Operators Report Being Denied Access to Venezuelan Airspace
In addition to the overflight fees in Mexico, operators are reporting that the civil aviation authority in Venezuela, INAC, is denying access to their airspace for unpaid navigation fees. The fees in question are for overflights of Venezuela's Maiquetia FIR that occurred in the past and were not billed to operators. NBAA encourages operators to check with their international service provider or INAC before overflying this airspace to ensure that no fees are outstanding. For additional information, contact the NBAA Operations Service Group at info@nbaa.org.

Asset Management for Aircraft in Focus at Van Nuys
NBAA's Business Aviation Regional Forum in Van Nuys, CA on April 12 will feature a session on "Aviation Asset Management." Presenters Mike and Don Dwyer of Guardian Jet will explain how to develop an optimum aircraft ownership interval, examine the life-cycle cost of aircraft ownership and plan for asset replacement. In addition to education sessions, the Van Nuys event also will offer displays of the latest aviation products and services. Register for the Van Nuys Regional Forum now.

Slot Program in Place for Augusta Area Airports in Early April
A major civic or sporting event impacts all forms of transportation in a city, including aviation, in the host city, which is why the FAA will have a special traffic management program (STMP) in effect for airports in the Augusta, GA area from April 2 to 9 during the Masters Golf Tournament. Arrival slots will be required daily from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. at Augusta Bush Regional Airport (AGS), Daniel Field Airport (DNL), Aiken Municipal Airport (AIK) and Thomson-McDuffie County Airport (HQU). There will be preferred arrival and departure routes throughout the week. For additional information, review the NOTAM.

Action Still Critical on Aircraft Tax Policy in Massachusetts
As previously reported in NBAA Update, an attempt last year to repeal Massachusetts' tax exemption on aircraft was defeated thanks to dedicated advocacy by NBAA Members in the Bay State. However, as state Rep. Donald Humason cautioned in December, the legislature may revive the repeal effort this year. State Rep. Cory Atkins has again introduced legislation (HB 2493) to repeal the exemption. NBAA Members in Massachusetts are encouraged to contact their representatives and reinforce how repealing the exemption would result in job losses and damage the state economy. As a recent study showed, general aviation airports employ 4,307 people in Massachusetts. Get more facts on the benefits of aviation in the Bay State.

In Albany, New York Group Pushes for Aircraft Tax Exemption
NBAA Update has reported previously on the efforts of the New York Aviation Management Association (NYAMA) to advocate for lifting the Empire State's tax on general aviation aircraft. Last week, the association held its annual Advocacy Day in Albany, NY, continuing to push for the tax exemption and increased funding for airport projects in the state. In meetings with legislators, NYAMA members explained how eliminating the sales tax on aircraft would create jobs and, through increased business activity, actually add to – rather than reduce – tax revenue. NYAMA President Chad Nixon said legislators find the Advocacy Day worthwhile because it helps them make informed decisions on aviation issues. For more information, contact NBAA's Dean Saucier at dsaucier@nbaa.org or visit the NYAMA web site.

Last Week to Take Compensation & Benchmark Survey
NBAA's Compensation & Benchmark Survey is open for participation through April 2. Members who take the industry survey receive free online access to the results; Members not participating in the survey will be able to purchase results. The survey provides a comprehensive review of aviation department salaries and operational data to help NBAA Member Companies run the most effective and efficient flight departments. All data will be held strictly confidential and only NBAA Member Representatives, or their designees, from Member Companies that operate aircraft may enter survey data. Learn more and take the survey.

Schedulers & Dispatchers Session Proposals Due This Week
The Association's Schedulers & Dispatchers (S&D) Conference draws thousands of Attendees and hundreds of exhibits from aviation product and service providers. To offer the most timely and relevant education program, the S&D Committee welcomes education session proposals for the 2013 conference, which will take place in San Antonio, TX from January 23 to 25. Proposals are requested on topics relevant to coordinating the use of business aircraft, including safety and risk management, aircraft ownership, maintenance, airspace and airport access, flight operations and leadership development. Submit proposals by March 30. Review the call for speakers.

NBAA Marks Passing of Former Airports Director Moe Haupt
The Association marks the passing on March 18 of Elmer H. "Moe" Haupt, who served for 18 years as NBAA's director, airports/ground infrastructure, including duties as staff liaison for the former Airports/Heliports Committee. Prior to joining NBAA in March of 1981, Haupt worked in the foreign military sales arena and as an aircraft program manager with several aviation organizations. He was a retired naval aviator with qualifications in both fixed and rotary-wing aircraft. The funeral service was held on March 23 in Springfield, VA, with internment at Arlington National Cemetery to take place at a later date. Direct questions to NBAA's Jeff Gilley at jgilley@nbaa.org.