NBAA, NATA Meet With IRS on FET and Management Companies
Last week, members of the NBAA/NATA Federal Excise Tax (FET) Working Group met with officials from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in Washington, DC. As previously reported, the IRS issued a chief counsel advice (CCA) memorandum this year regarding the taxability of aircraft management fees that has caused significant concern throughout the business aviation community. In last week's meeting, working group representatives presented the associations' significant objections to the conclusions drawn by the IRS in the CCA, and provided a detailed analysis supporting the industry's position that payments for aircraft management services should not, in general, be subject to FET on commercial air transportation. Review the working group response to the IRS.

NBAA: Pilots Need to Prepare for Procedural Changes on Standard Instrument Departures
Changes are on the horizon that will affect pilots flying instrument departures and arrivals. Following years of discussion, the new "Climb Via" instruction for standard instrument departures (SIDs) is scheduled to go live on Aug. 15. It mirrors the similar "Descend Via" instruction already being issued for standard terminal arrival route procedures. Read more about Climb Via.

Safety Alert Issued on Cockpit Weather Radar Displays
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued a safety alert warning pilots of potentially misleading age indications of weather radar images displayed in cockpits. These mosaic radar images are created by weather service providers using data collected from various NEXRAD ground sites. The age indicator associated with the mosaic image and displayed in the cockpit does not show the age of the actual weather conditions as detected by the NEXRAD sites, but instead shows the age of the mosaic image created by the service provider. Weather conditions depicted on the mosaic image will always be older than the age indicated on the display. The NTSB warns that in some extreme situations, the actual age of the displayed radar mosaic could reach 15 to 20 minutes. Review the safety alert.

FAA AeroNav Office Releases New Information Web Gateway
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) AeroNav Products office has unveiled a combined and upgraded version of the Instrument Flight Procedures (IFP) Inventory, Production Schedule and Coordination websites: a new IFP Information Gateway. The gateway allows customers to perform more flexible searches and provides a "one stop shopping" experience for tracking IFPs. With the gateway, customers can search once, request notifications of any and all updates and sign up for email alerts. With wider search capacity; alerts that alleviate the anxiety of wondering when a procedure change will occur; and a single source for IFP charts, transmittal letters and more, the gateway makes it easier to access the information operators need. Access the gateway online.

FAA Issues Notice to Increase TCAS II Awareness
In collaboration with NBAA, the FAA is working to educate aircraft operators about the importance of reviewing information on the Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) II in operations manuals and training programs. The FAA notice explains that operators should consult resources, such as Advisory Circular 120-55 to ensure their TCAS policies and procedures are consistent with FAA guidance. Through the FAA TCAS Operational Performance Assessment program, the agency has determined that aircraft operated under Parts 91, 91K and 135 of the Federal Aviation Regulations are involved in a high proportion of resolution advisories (RAs). This means that NBAA Members should pay special attention to the FAA guidance and have policies and procedures in place to properly respond when an RA occurs. Review the FAA notice.

NBAA Welcomes John Halinski's Appointment as TSA Deputy Administrator
NBAA welcomes the appointment of John W. Halinski as the new deputy administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), effective July 1. Halinski succeeds Gale Rossides, who is retiring after 34 years in public service, including 10 years at the TSA. Halinski previously served as the TSA's assistant administrator for the Office of Global Strategies, where he worked primarily with foreign countries and international aviation groups to develop security policy. Read more about Halinski's appointment.

Highway Bill Amendment Would Give Park Service Control of Skies Over National Parks
A proposed amendment to a federal highway bill under consideration in Congress could set a "troubling precedent" for oversight of the National Airspace System, warned NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen in a recent letter. At issue is language in the "Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act," now being reconciled by the House and Senate. If approved as part of the final bill, the proposal would cede regulatory authority for airspace over certain national parks and tribal lands to the National Park Service. Read more about the proposed amendment.

Sen. Nelson Extols Value of General Aviation
Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) was inspired to write an editorial on the value of general aviation (GA) after attending a GA rally in Lincoln earlier this year, where he met electrical engineers, fuel suppliers, mechanics and others involved in the industry. "In a large rural state like Nebraska, if it wasn't for general aviation and the small prop-driven planes many people use to get around, it would make it difficult for many businesses to thrive," Nelson wrote in an editorial last month in the Syracuse Journal-Democrat. Read more of Nelson's editorial.

Europe's New ATM System Faces Challenges
International operators developing an avionics budget are confronted by a lack of information on the Single European Sky Air Traffic Management Research program (SESAR). The largest challenge isn't funding ground systems; it's retrofitting cockpits once the new rules are established. "Can we come up with innovative ways to finance the part of the air traffic system that's in the sky?" suggested former FAA Administrator Marion Blakey. Most U.S. operators hope SESAR develops in coordination with NextGen; however, the larger challenge is ensuring standards and protocols are compatible with future air traffic control systems. Learn more about preparing for SESAR in an online extra for Business Aviation Insider.

A First for Australian Business Aviation
Australia's Revesco Aviation received its International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) Stage 2 certification by the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) in May, just two months after receiving its IS-BAO Stage 1 accreditation. It is the first Australian business aviation operator to record that achievement. The Australian Business Aircraft Association (ABAA) hailed this achievement as a boost for both IS-BAO and ABAA members. "This was a trail blazing achievement, in the true spirit of Western Australian entrepreneurship at the time, and paved the way for several other Australian companies who have since gained IS-BAO registration. Accreditation with Stage 2 IS-BAO is most significant and marks another milestone for Revesco," ABAA Executive Director David Bell said. Read more about business aviation in Australia.

New Article Provides Clarification on New York State Tax Changes
The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance has issued an advisory opinion explaining that although the first use of an aircraft in New York occurred after the effective date of amendments limiting two important sales and use tax exemptions, the aircraft is "grandfathered" and the exemptions are still available as it was purchased before the new law took effect. In 2009, over the objections of NBAA and the general aviation community, New York narrowed both the non-resident and commercial aircraft exemptions so they did not apply when an aircraft was used primarily to transport agents, employees, officers, directors, or owners of the entity or affiliate that purchased or used the aircraft. To learn about how this new advisory opinion may apply to aircraft owners and operators, review the article.

Study: DuPage Airport Provides Economic Boost to Community
Chicago-area residents will enjoy an estimated $117 million benefit this year from the presence of business-oriented DuPage Airport (DPA) in West Chicago, according to a new independent study. The research also finds nearly 1,000 jobs dependent on the airport. The estimated 2012 economic impact for DPA was calculated based on $69 million for direct airport expenditures and $48 million in indirect impact. Read more about DuPage's economic impact.

FAA Suspending DEEZZ-3 Departure Routing to Q42 and Q480 in New York
Earlier this spring, the FAA expanded use of the DEEZZ-3 departure route by aircraft departing New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and JFK satellite airports to include flights requesting clearance via Q42 and Q480. After studying the impacts of the expansion, the FAA has determined expanded use of the route will be suspended until further notice, effective today, June 25. All aircraft departing JFK and satellite airports seeking clearance via Q42 and Q480 will be routed via RBV. The DEEZZ-3 departure will continue to be the primary method of accessing J60 and J64 from JFK and satellite airports. Going forward, the DEEZZ-3 routing to Q42 and Q480 will be used only in special circumstances. For more information, contact NBAA Air Traffic Services at airtraffic@nbaa.org.

Boston Logan to Close at Midday on July 4 for Airshow
On July 4, the Bicentennial War of 1812 Airshow will be held at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) in Massachusetts. The airport will be closed between 12 and 3 p.m. for the event. Arrivals and departures will not be permitted, although ground movement on the airport is allowed. For more information on the closure, contact NBAA's Dean Snell at dsnell@nbaa.org.

Teterboro Closed Overnight to Fixed Wing Traffic on July 7
New Jersey's Teterboro Airport (TEB) will be closed to fixed wing traffic overnight from July 7 at 11 p.m. to July 8 at 11 a.m. Both runways will be closed for the 12-hour period, but helicopter operations will be permitted. During the ongoing rehabilitation project, electrical issues affecting three mandatory signs were discovered at the intersection of Runways 1/19 and 6/24. Airport authorities anticipate this will be the final closure during the construction, dependent on weather. Check FAA NOTAMs for the most accurate and up-to-date closure times. For more information, contact NBAA Air Traffic Services at airtraffic@nbaa.org.

Idaho's Friedman Memorial Hosting Allen Fly-In Next Month
Friedman Memorial Airport (SUN) near Sun Valley, in Hailey, ID, will host the annual Allen Fly-In from July 10 to 16. Coordinators are expecting more than 600 aircraft to use the airport during the week, with the heaviest arrival demand on July 10 and heaviest departure demand on July 16. The FAA will use traffic management tools such as extended miles-in-trail, airborne holding, stops or ground delay programs to mitigate delays. Taxiway use and parking will be limited. The tower manager requests all aircraft, arriving IFR or VFR, contact the tower no less than 15 miles out. NBAA suggests operators contact FBOs ahead of time to reserve services. Direct questions to NBAA Air Traffic Services at airtraffic@nbaa.org.

Registration Now Available for NBAA2012 in Orlando
Attendee registration is now online for NBAA's 65th Annual Meeting & Convention (NBAA2012), set for Oct. 30 to Nov. 1, in Orlando, FL. The site also has details on the exhibit hall floor plan and the outdoor Static Display areas at the Orange County Convention Center and at Orlando Executive Airport (ORL). Don't miss out on the business aviation industry's premier marketplace and annual event for education and networking. Register for NBAA2012 today.

Reserve Press Conference Time Slots at NBAA2012
NBAA2012 is the year's most significant media event for the business aviation industry, attracting business leaders, government officials, manufacturers, flight department personnel and anyone involved in business aviation. This year's Press Day is scheduled for Oct. 29; however, press conferences may be held throughout the duration of the Convention. Learn more about NBAA2012 press conferences.

NBAA Safety Committee to Host Business Aviation Pilot Training Symposium
The NBAA Safety Committee will host a Business Aviation Pilot Training Symposium in Washington, DC on Wednesday, Aug. 22. The day-long symposium will take place at the NTSB Board Room located at 490 L'Enfant Plaza, SW. The event will focus on four primary areas of pilot training: business aviation pilot skills and standards; operator training guidelines; training vendor guidelines; and regulatory oversight. NBAA encourages anyone interested to attend. For preliminary information and registration, contact NBAA's Doug Carr at dcarr@nbaa.org.