'Fiscal Cliff' Battle Could Have Implications for Business Aviation
If Washington can't agree on a way to cut $1.2 trillion from the federal budget before the end of the year, the "sequestration" will automatically impose mandatory across-the-board cuts on every federal agency. "If the FAA suffers sizeable budget cuts, the effects on our community will certainly be adverse," wrote NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen in his "President's Perspective" column for the most recent edition of Business Aviation Insider. "But business aircraft operators should be equally concerned about the inevitable attempt to balance the budget by raising revenue, especially through imposition of aviation user fees." Read Bolen's message about the fiscal cliff negotiations in Washington. Read Bolen's message about the fiscal cliff negotiations in Washington.

NBAA Urges Quick Action to Preserve Accelerated Depreciation
NBAA has joined a number of other organizations in strongly urging congressional leaders to continue stimulating capital expenditures among businesses by extending their ability to speed up depreciation schedules for a wide variety of major capital investments. That process, known as accelerated, or "bonus" depreciation, is set to expire at the end of this year. Read more about accelerated depreciation.

Improving Surface Operations a Big Issue for 2013
Improving airport surface operations is one of the top 10 items on the National Transportation Safety Board's (NTSB's) 2013 "Most Wanted" list. While most of the NTSB's recommendations focus on FAR Part 121 air carriers and commercial airports, members of NBAA's Safety Committee are quick to point out that the issue is equally important for business aviation. In fact, in its "Most Wanted" overview, the NTSB said general aviation pilots "are the single most prevalent contributor to the total number of runway incursions." There were 1,150 runway incursions in the 2012 fiscal year, ending Sept. 30, up from 954 total incursions in fiscal 2011 – a roughly 20-percent increase, according to the FAA. Read more about improving runway safety.

A Busy Year for Business Aviation in Washington
As 2012 draws to a close, the Dec. 10 edition of the NBAA Flight Plan podcast looks back on some of the issues that dominated the policy agenda for business aviation over the past 12 months. Among the challenges facing NBAA and its Members were the debate over user fees, the fight to oppose a European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU-ETS) and other legislative and regulatory issues. Listen to the NBAA Flight Plan podcast.

December Proclaimed 'GA Appreciation Month' In Ohio
Noting that general aviation (GA) contributes nearly $5.56 billion annually to the state's economy, Ohio Gov. John Kasich has proclaimed December 2012 as General Aviation Appreciation Month. "Many communities in Ohio depend heavily on GA and community airports for the continued flow of commerce, tourists and visitors to the state," the governor wrote in his proclamation. The governor's decree notes that payroll generated by the 98 GA public-use airports in the state's airport system total some $287 million. Buckeye State officials made similar proclamations in 2011 and 2010. Read more about general aviation in Ohio.

Plan Ahead to Recover Quickly from 'AOG' Events
Being stranded away from home due to a mechanical failure – an aircraft on ground (AOG) situation – is one of the most daunting challenges flight departments can face. But the problems can be minimized by having a detailed response plan in place before a breakdown occurs. "The biggest part of our plan is to be proactive and establish relationships with MRO providers," said Jim Sparks, director of maintenance for an aviation department in the Southwest. Read more about recovering from AOG events in the latest edition of Business Aviation Insider.

Enhanced Exhibitor Information Now 'Live' for EBACE2013
Companies planning to exhibit at the 2013 European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE2013) will find the application process more customer-oriented and easier to use. Detailed Exhibitor information and forms, as well as additional EBACE2013 information, are now available on the EBACE website. EBACE2013, jointly hosted by NBAA and the European Business Aviation Association, is the premier event for business aviation in Europe, and will be held May 21 to 23 in Geneva, Switzerland. Read more about exhibiting at EBACE2013.

Starting or Running a Regional Group? Check Out NBAA's Guidelines
Recently updated for 2012, the NBAA Guidelines for Regional Business Aviation Groups is a handy resource designed to help in creating new regional business aviation organizations and to help existing groups improve procedures and grow. The guide includes tips for writing a vision, mission and values statement; a checklist for starting a new group; basic information on bylaws, collecting dues and obtaining nonprofit status; and guidance on lobbying and other legal issues. Download NBAA's regional guidelines today.

Michigan Group Airlifts Gifts for Foster Children
On Dec. 1, several members of the Michigan Business Aviation Association (MBAA) volunteered their time and aircraft to Operation Good Cheer, benefiting local foster children. This entirely volunteer Christmas gift-giving program was started in 1971 to make a difference in the lives of children in foster care. With the support of MBAA volunteers, the program delivered 15,000 gifts to 18 airports across Michigan to be distributed to more than 4,000 foster children, many of whom would otherwise not have received gifts. Visit the MBAA site to read more about Operation Good Cheer.

FAA Holding IA Refresher Seminar in Lexington, NC on Mar. 5
The FAA will again hold its Inspection Authorization (IA) Refresher Seminar at RCR Air on Davidson County Airport (EXX) in Lexington, NC next year, on March 5. Vendor tables and sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information contact Shelia Everhart at severhart@rcrracing.com.

NBAA Board Revises Bylaws
The Association's Board of Directors recently approved an addition to NBAA's Bylaws that recognizes the autonomy of the Certified Aviation Manager Governing Board in decision making regarding certain aspects of the Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) Program. Learn more about the CAM Program or review the current NBAA Bylaws.

Regional Leaders in Florida, Nebraska Honored With NBAA Silk Scarf Award
NBAA last month presented its Silk Scarf Award to two individuals in recognition of their exemplary efforts on behalf of regional business aviation communities in South Florida and Nebraska. The honorees were Jeff Ramsden, president of the South Florida Business Aviation Association (SFBAA), and Richard L. McCollom, founding board member of the Nebraska Business Aviation Association (NeBAA). Read more about the award recipients.

Volunteer Opportunities Available at Schedulers & Dispatchers
Every year, NBAA Member volunteers are key to the success of the Schedulers & Dispatchers (S&D) Conference, set for Jan. 22 to 25 in San Antonio, TX. The S&D Ambassador Subcommittee is inviting volunteers to participate in the conference as greeters, hall monitors, room monitors and grand prize luncheon assistants. To volunteer to be an Ambassador, send an email to ambassadors@nbaa.org, or learn more about the NBAA Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference.