NBAA Welcomes New Air Traffic Procedure at Orlando Executive Airport
A new procedure at Orlando Executive Airport (ORL) in Florida – host facility for the Static Display of Aircraft at the upcoming NBAA 65th Annual Meeting & Convention (NBAA2012) – will allow more efficient operations year-round at ORL by enabling controllers to position aircraft on the runway prior to takeoff clearance. Effective July 1, controllers at the central Florida airport will be able to issue "line up and wait" (LUAW) instructions to departing traffic. "NBAA thanks the staff at Orlando Executive for making this change, which not only will assist with operations during our upcoming Convention, but also will benefit the airport and pilots throughout the year," said Bob Lamond, NBAA director, air traffic services and infrastructure. Read more about this change.

Podcast: ASRS Marks 1 Million Anonymous Reports
The NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) recently marked its 1 millionth report – a testimony to the system's ability to keep a promise and its worth in improving air safety. ASRS, which has been in existence for 36 years, is an anonymous reporting system that sometimes allows flight crew, cabin crew, controllers, dispatchers and mechanics the ability to not only point out safety issues, but in some cases, mitigate Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) enforcement action. ASRS Program Director Linda Connell said aviation professionals also can use the reports in familiarizing themselves with new airports and procedures, and discovering safety challenges before they become critical. Listen to today's NBAA Flight Plan podcast and read more about ASRS.

Nevada Proclaims June Aviation Appreciation Month
Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval proclaimed June 2012 as Aviation Appreciation Month in his state. In his June 1 announcement, the governor pointed to the vital role all aviation, including business aviation, plays for citizens and businesses in the Silver State. Nevada is the 40th state to issue an official recognition of the industry's value since the launch of the No Plane No Gain advocacy campaign by NBAA and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association. Read more about the industry's importance in Nevada.

Flying to Mexico Not Difficult, As Long as You're Prepared
Concerns over illegal immigration and narcotics trafficking keep the issue of border security between the U.S. and Mexico in the news, but hundreds of general aviation flights cross the border everyday without incident. Some minor issues to be aware of include the language barrier (although air traffic controllers speak fluent English), obtaining flight permits, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) data collection process. Operators with cross-border flying experience don't find these issues problematic, because they take time to do the necessary research and planning. To learn more about flying to Mexico, read an online extra in the current, international-themed issue of Business Aviation Insider.

The London 2012 Olympics Are Nearly Here – Are You Ready?
With the London-hosted 2012 Summer Olympics beginning in just under a month, civil aviation authorities in the U.K. are gearing up for what's expected to be an unprecedented number of aircraft movements into and out of the southeast region of England over the 31-day period. Significant airspace restrictions and operational requirements will be in place, and starting July 21, only aircraft with slot reservations will be allowed access to the 40 airports surrounding London. NBAA urges operators to reserve slots while they are still available and to familiarize themselves with the planned airspace restrictions. For more information, including slot reservation instructions, visit the NBAA London 2012 Olympics page.

British Students to Train for Business Aviation Careers at Younger Age
In Great Britain, students as young as 14 will soon begin hands-on training for careers in business aviation thanks to a new type of educational institution being set up throughout the country with the support of major players in British industry. "Aviation will benefit because students will be better prepared generally to enter the aviation industry either directly or via university," said Peter Mitchell, chief executive of the Baker Dearing Educational Trust, which is developing a system of more than 30 University Technical Colleges (UTCs) throughout Great Britain. Read more about UTCs.

Gulfstream Expansion Expected to Spur Economic Growth in Massachusetts
A $23 million expansion of a Gulfstream Aerospace maintenance facility at Westfield-Barnes Airport (BAF) in Westfield, MA promises to enhance economic activity in the southwestern portion of the state. The 100,000-square-foot addition will double the size of the facility, as well as add more than 100 permanent jobs. "This project is an excellent example of a private/public partnership which sustains and creates economic development for a region," said MassDOT Secretary and CEO Richard A. Davey. Read more about the Gulfstream expansion.

Planned VNY Runway Closure Limited to 10 Days
A collaborative effort between airport tenants and Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) officials has led to an agreement to substantially reduce the scheduled time to recondition the primary runway at the busy Van Nuys Airport (VNY) in Southern California. Earlier this year, LAWA submitted a plan to Van Nuys tenants that called for the entire 8,000-foot length of Runway 16R/34L to be reconstructed. Further analysis of existing runway conditions supported a less-intensive combination of resurface work and reconditioning, resulting in a 10-day, 26-night timeframe for closure of Runway 16R/34L. Read more about the scheduled work at Van Nuys.

New Airport Proposed for Oak Ridge, TN
A former Manhattan Project uranium-enrichment complex in Oak Ridge, TN, could get a new lease on life as a general aviation airport. The Community Reuse Organization of East Tennessee, the body that's redeveloping the site known as "K-25," a private-sector business park, is in the third phase of a feasibility study with the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority to hammer out development plans. The airport would improve general aviation access in the region as well as give Oak Ridge an economic boost, said Harry Houckes, NBAA's regional representative for the Southeast. "It would make Oak Ridge an intermodal transportation hub, with air, road and rail access, and it would improve the usability of that industrial site," he said. Read more about the proposed Tennessee airport.

Flight Attendants/Flight Technicians Scholarship Winners Named
The Association announced the 36 recipients of the 2012 Flight Attendants/Flight Technicians Scholarship during the NBAA 17th Annual Flight Attendants/Flight Technicians Conference, held last week from June 14 to 16 in Chicago, IL. The NBAA Flight Attendants/Flight Technicians Scholarship program is administered by NBAA and its Flight Attendants Committee, and was established to assist business aviation flight attendants/flight technicians in their roles as a crewmember aboard business aircraft. See the full list of scholarship recipients.

NBAA Invites Customer Service Training Proposals
NBAA has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for an intermediate-to-advanced-level customer service training seminar for staff. As NBAA seeks to strengthen its brand, the Association has established a strategic initiative to establish a "best-in-class" customer/Member service culture. Ongoing training for NBAA staff is one critical element of the path towards this goal. The RFP outlines the specific scope of services to be provided. Proposals are due to NBAA no later than July 13. View the RFP.

Winners Announced for Membership Month
Last month was Membership Month at NBAA, with several opportunities to win prizes for getting more engaged with the Association. The grand-prize winner of the Member-Get-a-Member Program was aviation attorney Shelly Ewalt, who received one $250 American Express gift card and two free passes to NBAA2012. Six additional people won gift cards or free NBAA2012 registration. The winner of the Share Your Favorite NBAA Event contest was Nathan Winkle of Yum! Brands, claiming an iPad and complementary registration to the Maintenance Management Conference. The NBAA Though the Years Match Game winner was Brent Paulsen of Tyson Foods, who received a $100 American Express gift card and one free pass to NBAA2012. Read more about this year's "May Is Membership Month" promotions.

NBAA Seeks Candidates for Two Association Positions
NBAA currently has two open positions: Operations Service Group (OSG) aviation specialist and manager of static displays. The OSG aviation specialist will provide legislative, regulatory, technical and flight operations information to NBAA Members and support Operations Division subject matter experts with research activities, including writing news stories. The manager, static displays is responsible for assisting in the success of all NBAA Static Displays of Aircraft at the Annual Meeting & Convention, EBACE, ABACE and Regional Forums by managing planning and logistics for static aircraft exhibitions. NBAA is an equal opportunity employer. View the complete job descriptions online.