NBAA Welcomes Congressional Approval of EU-ETS Prohibition Act
A bipartisan measure (S.1956) that would prohibit U.S.-based aircraft operators from participating in the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU-ETS) passed the House of Representatives last week and now awaits President Obama's signature. The measure, titled "The European Union Emissions Trading Scheme Prohibition Act," was originally sponsored in the Senate by Sens. John Thune (R-SD) and Claire McCaskill (D-MO). The House approved a separate EU-ETS prohibition earlier this year. "We're delighted that this measure has received bipartisan, bicameral support in the U.S. Congress," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. "Having the president's signature on the bill will send a strong signal that America has spoken with a united voice on a topic that greatly impacts issues of trade and U.S. sovereignty." Read more about the bill.

What Do the Latest EU-ETS Changes Mean for NBAA Members?
Developments in Washington, DC and Brussels last week have had a significant impact on the European Union's Emissions Trading Scheme as it is applied to aviation. While certainly not a one-two knockout combination to the greenhouse gas reduction program adopted by the EU's 27 member nations, the past week's events are an indication not only of international resistance to the program, but of a new willingness to compromise within the highest levels of the European Union itself. Rising above all of that is the question: Just what do these developments mean for NBAA Members whose business it is to fly to Europe? Learn what it all means to NBAA Members in this week's NBAA Flight Plan podcast.

NBAA Applauds Business Aviation's Sandy 'Airlift'; Encourages Continued Support
Last week, NBAA recognized the business aviation community's impressive response to the devastation produced by "Superstorm" Sandy in the Northeast, and encouraged Association Members to continue providing assets, supplies and cash contributions to humanitarian groups. "The business aviation community has repeatedly demonstrated its readiness to step forward to help in the wake of natural disasters," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen," and the industry has again snapped into action with a variety of efforts to help people and communities following 'Superstorm' Sandy, as well." Read more about the industry's efforts following Sandy.

NTSB Maintains 'Assumption of Truth' Standard in Ruling on Pilot Enforcement Actions
In a final ruling effective Nov. 15, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) declined to make substantial changes to its oversight role of emergency enforcement actions taken against pilots by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The ruling amended the board's Rules of Practice in Air Safety Proceedings, which since 2003 have governed its policies when considering appeals of FAA enforcement actions against pilots. Despite criticism of the practice by a coalition of aviation groups, including NBAA, the board reiterated that the expedited timeframe mandated for emergency actions to be completed makes the assumption of truth standard necessary. Read more about the ruling.

Congressman Calls for Expanded Use of Unleaded Fuels in Piston Aircraft
In a recent letter to FAA Acting Administrator Michael Huerta, Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA-30) noted that while the agency has determined a timetable to find an alternative to 100 low-lead aviation gasoline, little has been done to encourage use of existing unleaded fuels in the interim. "It is essential for the FAA to develop and implement, in the near term, measures to facilitate the use of currently available unleaded fuel in general aviation," Waxman wrote. Read more about the issue.

Falcon Jet Makes History by Flying on 100 Percent Biofuel
A Dassault Falcon 20 has achieved an aviation and renewable-energy milestone by becoming the world's first civil jet to be powered by 100 percent biofuel. The National Research Council of Canada, a government research and development organization, said it flew the Falcon over Ottawa, Canada, during a one-hour flight on Oct. 29. The Falcon's two General Electric CF700-2D2 turbofan engines consumed ReadiJet, an unblended biofuel, which is based on Agrisoma's Resonance industrial oilseed crops and is produced by Albuquerque-based Applied Research Associates under contract to the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory. Read more about the historic Dassault Falcon flight.

Texas Again Declares November 'Aviation Appreciation Month'
For the third year in a row, Gov. Rick Perry proclaimed November "Aviation Appreciation Month" in Texas. "Thousands of Texans rely on the aviation industry for employment," Perry wrote in his proclamation. "General aviation (GA) and related activities generated $14.6 billion in direct, indirect and induced economic activity in the state of Texas." A recent study counted 61,000 Texas aviation jobs with a payroll of $2.5 billion. Read more about GA in Texas.

Business Airplane Helps UniFirst Fly Through the Recession
For UniFirst Corporation, a fast-growing leader in the uniform and textile services industry, building a new flight department during the recent economic downturn wasn't misguided – it was a savvy business move. UniFirst purchased a previously owned Challenger CL601-3A to connect its 220 facilities across North America, making the company's management more nimble, containing costs and improving efficiency. "Business aviation travel is essential for me, as well as for many of our employees," said UniFirst President and CEO Ronald Croatti. "We're very involved with all aspects of our coast-to-coast operations … and I personally make it a point to visit as many of our locations and customers as possible throughout the year." Read more about how business aviation has helped UniFirst fly through the Great Recession in the latest edition of Business Aviation Insider.

NBAA Applauds Europeans' Delay for EU-ETS Implementation
The Association last week welcomed a recommendation by the European Union's commissioner for Climate Action to delay for one year implementation of its proposed Emissions Trading Scheme for aviation. Commissioner Connie Hedegaard suggested to representatives of the 27 EU Member States that they "stop the clock" on enforcement of EU-ETS requirements on non-European based operators conducting flights originating from outside Europe. Those operators based within the European Union will still be required to comply, and it appears that intra-European flights may be subject to the scheme. Review the press release or learn more at NBAA's EU-ETS resource page.

Route Requirements Expected Between Northeast and Florida for Thanksgiving
Operators traveling between the Northeast and Florida this week can expect a number of required routes. Flights out of the New York satellite airports, typically filed over the WHITE departure fix, can expect required offloads during specific times of the week. Alternate routes via the offshore routes can be used in lieu of the required inland routes to help avoid delays. These offshore routes include the AZEZU and ATLANTIC playbook routes. The ATLANTIC playbook routes will utilize the offshore military airspace expected to be released to the FAA on Sunday, Nov. 25 – the highest volume day. Operators should monitor the Air Traffic Control System Command Center Advisories web page for daily up-to-date route requirements and recommendations. View additional details on NBAA's dedicated travel web page.

Operators Can Get VNY Runway Closure Info Via Hotline, Website
Van Nuys Airport's (VNY) project to rehabilitate its 8,000-foot-long primary runway is mobilizing, with construction set to begin in April 2013. The Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners has awarded a contract for the work to Security Paving Co. of Sun Valley, CA, and Los Angeles World Airports – the airport department of the city government – launched an awareness campaign at NBAA's Annual Meeting & Convention to keep VNY tenants and pilots informed about construction-related changes. VNY aims to make a detailed, real-time schedule with specific dates for full and partial runway closures available on its VNY runway improvement project website and hotline in late December, prior to its briefing and workshop for VNY tenants in January. Read more about the Van Nuys project.

Runway Construction Continues at Fort Lauderdale International
As the major runway construction project continues at Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (FLL), operators can expect the increased possibility of FAA traffic management initiatives (TMIs) due to higher volume during the holiday months. Arrival and departure demand at FLL is historically higher from Thursday to Sunday, with lighter demand from Monday to Wednesday. The possible TMIs include ground delay programs, miles in trail and internal/adjacent center metering. Review complete details on the construction project on NBAA's FLL airport page.

FAA's New York-Area Business Aviation Forum Set for Dec. 4
The New York-Area Business Aviation Forum is scheduled Tuesday, Dec. 4, at the FAA Eastern Region Headquarters in Jamaica, NY from 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. FAA representatives from all of the New York ATC facilities will be on hand to answer questions pertaining to operating in the New York Metropolitan Airspace. Presentations will include those focusing on traffic flow management practices associated with the upcoming seasonal demand between the Northeast and Florida/Caribbean. As the forum will be held in an FAA facility, attendees must RSVP so they may be added to the approved security list. RSVP to NBAA Air Traffic Services' Dean Snell by Nov. 29 at dsnell@nbaa.org.

NBAA's Bolen Receives Award for Service to General Aviation
NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen has been honored for his years of service to general aviation by receiving the Charles Lindbergh General Aviation Diploma, which is given annually by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale. Bolen received the award during a ceremony held on Nov. 13 in Washington, DC. "Mr. Bolen has had a major, positive impact on the world's general aviation community for well over a decade and is a most worthy recipient of the Charles Lindbergh General Aviation Diploma," said National Aeronautic Association President Jonathan Gaffney, who personally presented the award to Bolen. Read more about Bolen's service to GA.

NBAA Management Guide Fall Edition Now Online
An industry how-to manual, the NBAA Management Guide is a must-have for any size flight department, providing the latest guidance on aircraft operations, maintenance and administration. The fall edition of this publication is now available and includes updates to Section 2, Flight Operations, and Appendix B, Aircraft Feasibility Study. The NBAA Management Guide is made available in hardcopy, web and PDF formats, but only to NBAA Members. Non-Members who join NBAA today are eligible to receive one free printed copy of the guide within the first year of joining. Order the NBAA Management Guide now.

Call for Speakers: 2013 NBAA Regional Forums
NBAA is pleased to announce its call for speakers for education sessions at the Association's 2013 Business Aviation Regional Forums. Proposals for presentations are welcome on topics such as safety and risk management, maintenance and technical issues, airspace and airport access, aircraft and flight operations, aviation management, aircraft ownership, and career and leadership development. Proposals are due to NBAA by Dec. 17. Review and complete the call for speakers form.

NBAA Closed for Thanksgiving
NBAA's offices will close at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 21 for the Thanksgiving holiday and remain closed through Friday, Nov. 23. The offices will reopen at 9 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 26.