NBAA Offers Congress Recommendations for Improving TSA Screening of Non-U.S. Flight Students
In a subcommittee hearing on July 18, NBAA noted significant accomplishments by the government and general aviation industry to improve security in the years since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and recommended further improvements to a program for training flight school students from other countries in the United States. "Since the events of 9/11, NBAA and indeed the entire general aviation community have been very proactive in enhancing security by developing and implementing a large number of workable and effective security measures," NBAA Vice President, Safety, Security, Operations & Regulation Doug Carr told lawmakers on the House Committee on Homeland Security's Subcommittee on Transportation Security. Read more about Carr's testimony.

House Vote Imminent for Pilot's Bill of Rights Passed by Senate Last Month
Following Senate passage of "Pilot's Bill of Rights" legislation last month, officials report that the United States House of Representatives may vote on the measure as early as today. Introduced by Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) in July 2011, Senate Bill 1335 was passed unanimously by the Senate on June 29. The House vote is expected sometime later today. The Pilots' Bill of Rights would require the National Transportation Safety Board to review enforcement actions by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) against an airman's certificate, among other provisions. Read more about the Pilot's Bill of Rights.

ICAO Reaches Agreement Measuring Aviation Carbon Dioxide Emissions
The Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) announced an agreement on metrics for measurement of carbon dioxide emissions by different aircraft using varying technologies. "The new metrics reflect the effective work of IBAC and the aviation community's tireless efforts to develop a thoughtful, global, consensus-based approach to emissions that underscores our commitment to continually reducing our environmental footprint," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. Read more about the agreement.

Key Jet and Turboprop Segments Report Zero Fatalities in First Half of 2012
During the first half of this year, business jets and turboprops flown by professional crews suffered no fatalities, not just in the United States but worldwide, according to the latest figures compiled by Robert E. Breiling Associates, of Boca Raton, FL. In addition, the total number of accidents involving U.S.-registered business aircraft declined during the first half of 2012, but the overall number of related fatalities increased, according to the report. Read more about the report.

Plan to Fly Converging ILS Missed Approaches Via Ground-Based NAVAIDs
Philadelphia Tower has recently observed pilots flying the incorrect missed approach on converging ILS approaches for two runways. At all airports, not just Philadelphia International (PHL), the missed approach procedures for the "straight-in ILS" approach and "converging ILS" approach to the same runway are different. The flight management system (FMS) coding for an ILS approach is always the standard straight-in procedure. The converging ILS procedure, including the missed approach, is not coded in the database. NBAA reminds flightcrews to brief and plan to fly the converging ILS missed approach using ground-based navigational aids such as VOR and NDB, as not doing so may lead to loss of separation and a pilot deviation. For more information, see Aeronautical Information Manual Section 5-4-17 or contact NBAA's Bob Lamond at rlamond@nbaa.org.

Political Couple Carville and Matalin to Return to NBAA Convention Just Prior to Election
Renowned and entertaining political couple James Carville and Mary Matalin will be featured speakers in a second-day Opening Session held during the NBAA 65th Annual Meeting & Convention (NBAA2012) on Oct. 31 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. "The timing is perfect to welcome back James and Mary as speakers at NBAA2012," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. "It will be most interesting to hear their insights and predictions as political insiders, just one week prior to the presidential election." Read more about Carville and Matalin.

Forbes Publisher Rich Karlgaard Returns to NBAA Convention
Rich Karlgaard – columnist, publisher of Forbes magazine, author, pilot and business aircraft owner – will be a featured speaker at the NBAA2012 Opening General Session on Tuesday, Oct. 30, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. "Rich is an outstanding communicator, whose passion for aviation and ability to articulate how issues and circumstances interrelate is simply remarkable," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. "We look forward to hearing his take on the economy and business aviation just one week before the presidential election." Read more about Karlgaard.

Oregon Senator Underscores Importance of Community Airports
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) recently stressed the importance of investing in community airports, emphasizing the value of the general aviation industry in his home state of Oregon. Wyden spoke during a visit to Bend Municipal Airport (BDN), a business aviation airport that serves central Oregon. In his speech, Wyden explained how the FAA's Airport Improvement Program directs funds to community airport development projects, enabling local aviation and construction businesses to thrive. Noting the ongoing work at Bend Municipal, Wyden said AIP funds will bring, "safer airports, better runways, better terminals, better hangars and better taxiways like the one that's being repaved right here." Read more of Sen. Wyden's comments on the benefits of community airports.

Deadline Approaching for New RVSM Monitoring Requirements
The Nov. 18 deadline is approaching to comply with revised reduced vertical separation minimum (RVSM) monitoring requirements or be subject to enforcement. In a recent NBAA webinar, FAA officials noted the agency has already identified several operators with non-compliant altitude-keeping performance. In addition to RVSM requirements, the latest issue of Business Aviation Insider discusses when to do a risk assessment. The Quick Turns section of the magazine offers guidance from NBAA's Eli Cotti, who emphasizes, "It is the people in the SMS [safety management system] that ultimately provide the safety function," so the decision should be based on aviation staff and passenger considerations as well as the flight situation. Learn more about RVSM requirements and risk assessments in Business Aviation Insider's Quick Turns.

Podcast: Expert Warns 'Keep Your Guard Up' at 2012 Olympics
It's a biennial celebration of international sportsmanship and the world's most prestigious athletic competition, but the 2012 Summer Olympics is also a potentially risky place for your flightcrew. "It's going to be a lot larger in terms of attendance than other recent Olympics in Greece or China," said Matt Burdette, chief of intelligence for FrontierMEDEX, which provides security and intelligence to clients overseas. "Because of better infrastructure and the proximity of London, they're expecting anywhere up to 8 million spectators, athletes, journalists and sponsors." Listen to this week's NBAA Flight Plan podcast for more about security measures to take at the Olympics.

Past DUI Convictions May Keep Pilots Out of Canada
Business aviation operators flying into Canada should be aware of that country's strict immigration policy regarding U.S. citizens entering the country who have been convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol, which is a felony in the U.S. Bill Stine, NBAA's director of international operations, said that the Association receives several complaints each year from NBAA Members who have been denied access into Canada. "Anyone who is convicted of a felony is considered 'criminally inadmissible' into Canada under its Immigration and Refugee Protection Act," Stine said. "However, there are provisions that render someone eligible for 'deemed rehabilitation' for entry purposes into Canada if the DUI happened 10 or more years ago." Read more about Canada's policies on DUI offenses.

TFRs Expected for Republican and Democratic National Conventions
Temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) will be in effect for the Republican National Convention (RNC) from Aug. 26 to 30 in Tampa, FL and the Democratic National Convention (DNC) from Sept. 3 to 6 in Charlotte, NC. During the conventions, TFRs will limit access for general aviation flights at specific times; the most restrictive times being late afternoon and early evening. If previous practices apply, NBAA expects gateway airports will be available to allow TSA screening and access into airspace affected by the TFRs. While several outlets have published supposed details of both conventions, the final dates, times and airports affected by the TFRs will be not released until a few weeks prior to each event. For more information, contact NBAA Air Traffic Services at airtraffic@nbaa.org.

FAA Implementing New STARs for Washington, DC Airports
In an ongoing effort to optimize airspace in the Washington, DC metroplex, the FAA will implement three new RNAV STARs on Aug. 6 for arrivals from the west into Washington Dulles International (IAD) and Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA) airports. The new routes will employ optimized profile descents, significantly reducing the number of level-offs during descent. The GIBBZ RNAV STAR for Dulles will include transitions off of Beckley (BKW), Charleston (HVQ) and Morgantown (MGW). The FRDMM (pronounced "Freedom") RNAV STAR for DCA will transition off of BUCKO. The TRUPPS (pronounced "Troops") RNAV STAR for DCA will include transitions off of Beckley (BKW) and Charleston (HVQ). For more information, contact NBAA Air Traffic Services at airtraffic@nbaa.org, or visit NBAA's Northeast Region Airspace page.

FAA Clarifies Departure Procedures Out of Washington Dulles
In a July 10 Air Traffic Control Tower letter to airmen, the FAA issued clarification on the initial portions of the BUNZZ ONE and RNLDI ONE RNAV departure procedures at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). Effective July 26, pilots should expect to receive an initial vector for the departure from Dulles Tower and should not begin their turn at 820 feet as described in the procedure. Radar vectors will subsequently be given to the initial waypoint by Potomac TRACON. For more information, visit NBAA's Northeast Region Airspace page.

East Hampton Airport Publishes New Helicopter Procedures
The Eastern Region Helicopter Council (ERHC) urges all helicopter operators who use Long Island's East Hampton Airport (HTO) to review the new noise abatement procedures published by airport authorities. Effective immediately, the new procedures return helicopter VFR arrival and departure routes to the path over power lines, using prescribed checkpoints as was the practice several years ago. Returning to these routes is intended to direct traffic away from more developed areas, reducing the impact of noise. The ERHC requests operators' input and cooperation with the new procedures. An updated SVFR letter of agreement will be published soon as "Revision 1." Send input to admin@erhc.org. Review the HTO letter of agreement dated July 16 on the ERHC site.

Wellington Municipal Airport Upgrades a Boon for Area
By the end of July, Wellington Municipal Airport (EGT) outside Wichita, KS, will be having its taxiway repaved, and plans are underway to extend its runway, enabling it to accommodate larger aircraft. "With added development to the airport, Wellington-based aviation support manufacturers will gain better access to both locally based aircraft manufacturers and new global markets, which in turn will benefit the local economy," said Steve Hadley, NBAA director of regional programs, whose territory includes Kansas. Read more about planned improvements at EGT.

Register Online for the Association's Flagship Event: NBAA2012
The NBAA Annual Meeting & Convention is the eighth largest trade show in the U.S. and the largest business aviation event in the world. Attendees, Exhibitors and members of the media may now register online for NBAA2012, as well as for all pre- and post-Convention events, including the Cessna/NBAA Single-Pilot Safety Standdown and NBAA's Tax, Regulatory & Risk Management Conference and several Professional Development Program (PDP) courses. Also available for advance registration is the NBAA/CAN Soiree, "An Evening with Angels," featuring Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, and benefiting Corporate Angel Network. Register for NBAA2012 now.

Webinar Discusses International Flight With Digital Charts
A record number of participants – more than 300 Members – participated on July 18 in a free NBAA webinar that discussed international flights using digital charts. The third in a series, Jeppesen sponsored and presented the hour-long session that focused on the Mobile FlightDeck, the company's iPad electronic flight bag (EFB) app, said moderator Jo Damato, NBAA director of educational development & strategy. This webinar is now available as a recording. Read more about the webinar.

NBAA Staff Will Connect With Members at AirVenture
For the sixth year, NBAA will have an air-conditioned tent on the flight line at the Experimental Aircraft Association's (EAA) AirVenture event, which will be held today through Sunday in Oshkosh, WI. NBAA's big white tent will feature a back porch with rocking chairs – and plenty of chilled bottled water and sodas – so guests can comfortably enjoy the air show and view the various aircraft on display and in flight. "The show is a great summertime event and a fantastic way to connect and reconnect with people from all corners of the aviation community," said Chris Strong, NBAA's senior vice president, marketing & member services. Read more about NBAA's role at AirVenture.

NBAA Uses Twitter to Alert Pilots to New TFRs
VIP TFRs are popping up with increasing frequency as the political campaigns heat up in advance of Election Day. To help all aviators keep track of these restrictions, NBAA has created a dedicated Air Traffic Services (ATS) Twitter account, @NBAA_ATS, to provide updates as needed, said John Kosak, an NBAA air traffic management specialist. ATS can tweet the creation of a new TFR in 10 to 20 minutes, Kosak said. The Twitter page is dedicated to TFR announcements and also the landfall of hurricanes, giving followers clutter-free notices of these hazards on their phones and computers. Read more about this Twitter service from NBAA Air Traffic Services.

CAM Program Holding Annual Elections for Governing Board
NBAA's Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) Program is holding its annual election for positions on the CAM Governing Board this month. Candidate information and voting instructions has been emailed to current CAMs. All CAMs in good standing are eligible to vote in the election, which will be conducted in accordance with the CAM bylaws. For more information on the election process or the CAM Program, contact NBAA's Jay Evans at jevans@nbaa.org. Learn more about the CAM Governing Board.