NBAA Calls for Adequate Customs Staffing at U.S. Ports of Entry
The Association has joined more than 50 organizations in petitioning the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to ensure that President Obama's annual federal budget request includes adequate funding for U.S. Customs and Border Protection staffing at U.S. ports of entry. In a letter to OMB Acting Director Jeffrey Zients, the groups said understaffing at ports "increases wait times, costs industry billions, and discourages business and leisure travelers from visiting the U.S." Along with NBAA, the letter's signers include the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and numerous city and state chamber groups. Read more about the letter to OMB.

New NBAA 'FileSmart' Initiative Coming Soon
NBAA Air Traffic Services will soon unveil a new web-based educational initiative designed to improve the timeliness and accuracy of flight plans filed by aircraft operators. Expected to go live early this year, NBAA's new "FileSmart" campaign will highlight for operators the ways they can reduce the impact of air traffic delays to their operations by modifying their flight planning processes, while providing air traffic controllers with more timely and accurate flight plan "intent" information. Read more about FileSmart.

Study Author's Findings Counter Forbes Editorial Questioning Business Aviation Use
Companies using a business airplane have not only performed better during the recent recession than companies without aircraft, but also done better in the recovery, according to one prominent researcher. NEXA Advisors President Michael Dyment says his recent study, conducted late last year, shows companies with business airplanes "were quicker to hire back employees and grow their workforce…relative to non-users. Any notion that business aircraft are a bad investment cannot be substantiated," Dyment said. He was responding to recent online Forbes article warning that General Motors should not begin using business aviation following its release from U.S. Treasury requirements. Read more about the value of business aviation in this week's NBAA Flight Plan podcast.

Now on Air Mail: Discussion About Flight Department Structures
Last week on the Flight Department Managers Air Mail list, NBAA Members discussed the challenges and opportunities of a "horizontal" management structure within a flight department, where a chief pilot, office manager and maintenance manager work as peers, all reporting to a director outside of the flight department. Air Mail is NBAA's Members-only social network for the discussion of business aviation topics. To review the discussion, NBAA Members must log in to Air Mail Forums.

NBAA's Piccione to Speak at Events in Chicago, Nebraska
NBAA's work in Washington to underscore the importance of business aviation to the national economy and the legislative challenges facing the industry in 2013, will be the focus of remarks by NBAA's Lisa Piccione, who will speak at two upcoming regional events this month – one in the Chicago area and one in Nebraska. Looking ahead to the events, Piccione, NBAA's senior vice president, government affairs, noted, "We're going to give [attendees] a look at what to anticipate in 2013 and also remind them how important it is to touch base with their elected officials – particularly in Congress – about the value of business aviation and its significant economic and social benefits." Read more about the upcoming events.

In the New Year, Resolve to Be a Business Aviation Champion
While NBAA continually educates congressional lawmakers and federal regulators about the size, diversity and significance of the business aviation community, the Association also produces a host of advocacy resources for people in the industry to use in championing its importance with local elected officials, news media outlets and others. The website for the No Plane No Gain advocacy campaign, which is jointly sponsored by NBAA and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, has studies, surveys and other tools to make the case for business aviation. Visit the site today, click on the "resources" tab and consider whether the tools provided might, support your advocacy efforts in 2013. Visit the No Plane No Gain website.

Several Regulatory Issues in View for Industry in 2013
In 2013, a number of regulatory concerns will confront the industry, and NBAA staff, the Association's committee members and others will be advocating for policies that foster the industry's growth. Included among the issues in view for the coming year are initiatives to continue working with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to streamline the customs clearance process, educate Members on recent IRS regulations on deduction limits for entertainment flights and other matters. Read more about what's in store on the federal regulatory front this year in the preview edition of Business Aviation Insider.

Haiti Earthquake Anniversary Recalls Industry's Airlift
This past Saturday, Jan. 12, marked the three-year anniversary of the day an earthquake ravaged the island nation of Haiti, prompting people and companies from across the business aviation community to mount a comprehensive airlift to transport supplies and medical specialists into the country and evacuate victims. NBAA supported the effort and highlighted its importance with Washington policymakers; in May 2010, Congress passed a resolution recognizing the industry's critical role in the relief efforts. For stories about individual relief missions, news coverage of the industry's efforts and more, review NBAA's online content about the Haiti airlift.

International Pilots and Trip Planners Invited to Register for NBAA Conference
Registration is open for the 40th Annual International Operators Conference, set for March 4 to 7 in San Diego, CA. Operating a business aircraft in the international arena presents unique challenges. As an operator, it's critical that you stay on top of the latest issues and updates to ensure you complete overseas trips safely and efficiently. Only NBAA's International Operators Conference, developed by the Association's International Operations Committee, delivers all the latest developments and critical information you need to know as a business aviation pilot or international trip planner. Register now.

New RNAV Routes in Effect for Crossing Gulf of Mexico
On Jan.10, new RNAV routes took effect for crossing the Gulf of Mexico, and two ATS routes will be maintained. Aircraft entering GoMex airspace are expected to file and fly the new GoMex route structure, including the new "Lima" and "Mike" RNAV routes. This will allow the application of 50 NM lateral separations for qualified aircraft, authorized for RNP 10 (minimum) or RNP 4. Operators are to indicate in their ICAO flight plan whether or not they are performance-based navigation (PBN) approved. Learn more.

FAA Issues Advisory in Advance of Feb. 3 Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is a unique annual event that draws worldwide attention, and each year, accommodations must be made for all modes of transportation to the game's host city – including all types of aviation traffic. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an advisory to inform pilots of required aircraft reservations at Lakefront Airport (NEW) in New Orleans, LA from Feb. 1 to 4 in connection with Super Bowl XLVII, which will be played Feb. 3. The FAA has also issued a flight advisory providing pilots with an overview of temporary flight restrictions that will be in effect Feb. 3 over Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. Lakefront Airport will use a parking reservation system to meet expected heavy air traffic volume, and to ensure ramp space for arriving aircraft, the FAA said. Pilots must obtain a prior permission required number that will indicate parking location. Parking reservations may be obtained through the FBOs at NEW. All pilots should be prepared for potential airborne holding, rerouting, or expected departure clearance times. Read more.

Taxiway Renaming Begins at Chicago O'Hare
Over the next 18 months, several taxiways at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD) will undergo designator changes as the first step in a large-scale taxiway renaming plan. The plan, part of the O'Hare Modernization Program, calls for changes to small groups of taxiways every 56 days beginning Jan. 10. The following changes were made last week: Taxiway ZC became AA, Taxiway ZD became L1, Taxiway ZE became BB, and Taxiway ZF became CC. The next series of taxiway changes is scheduled for March 7. Additionally, Runway 10-28 is scheduled to be re-designated 10L-28R early this May. Pilots are urged to familiarize themselves with these ongoing changes and maintain heightened awareness. Learn more about the ORD airport modernization.

Only Two Weeks Left to Apply for GBAA Maintenance Scholarships
The Georgia Business Aviation Association (GBAA) is offering two scholarships for maintenance technician continuing education opportunities next year. One award will cover a five-day Practical Aircraft Electricity Course at CAE SimuFlite's Dallas Learning Center, valued at $3,990. The other award will cover a Principles of Troubleshooting Course at FlightSafety International, valued at $3,750. The scholarships will be awarded at the GBAA/Duncan Aviation IA Refresher Class to be held Feb. 7 in Smyrna, GA. Applications are due Jan. 25. All employees of GBAA member companies are eligible. Download an application from the GBAA website.

Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference One Week Away
NBAA's Schedulers & Dispatchers (S&D) Conference is coming to San Antonio, TX from Jan. 22 to 25 with more than 30 education sessions, hundreds of exhibits and countless opportunities to network and learn new skills. Sessions will cover emergency response plans; international crises; standard operating procedures for the S&D function; identifying weather risks; financial reporting and more. The program also includes a Dispatcher Recurrent Course and several Schedulers Professional Development Program courses. Download the S&D Conference Prep Guide to prepare for the event and register now.

Expanded Training Initiative Program Featured at S&D Conference
The NBAA S&D Conference Training Initiative (CTI) returns to this year's event in San Antonio with an expanded seminar program focusing on risk management and the increasing financial responsibilities of the S&D position. For 2013, the CTI program consists of 12 sessions, twice the number of offerings in 2012. Eight sessions have been selected to help the scheduler and dispatcher focus on risk-management issues, while the remaining four programs aim to assist the scheduler and dispatcher in their responsibilities related to tax issues. Read more about the S&D CTI program.

Leadership Conference Focuses on Building Your Legacy
The theme of the 2013 Leadership Conference is "Leadership Legacy: Inspiring the Future," and will focus on how the choices industry leaders make everyday affect those who follow them. Keynote speaker, leading futurist Glen Hiemstra, will provide a glimpse into what the aviation industry might look like after the current generation retires. Additional speakers at the conference, which will be held Feb. 12 and 13 in Austin, TX, include Mark Fernandes, chief leadership officer of Luck Companies; David Everitt, past president of John Deere and Company's Agriculture and Turf business; Bryan Dodge, a motivational expert; and James Kouzes, author and award-winning speaker. Read more about the NBAA Leadership Conference and register now.

NBAA2013 Call for Speakers Open Through Feb. 28
The quality, breadth and depth of education sessions at NBAA's Conventions is, in large part, due to the volunteer contributions from industry participants. NBAA is soliciting speaking proposals for NBAA2013, which will be held from Oct. 22 to 24, 2013 in Las Vegas, NV. Proposals must be educational in nature and include specific learning objectives. NBAA welcomes presentations 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. The call for speakers will be open until Feb. 28. Submit a proposal for NBAA2013.

NBAA Closed for MLK Day
The Association will be closed next Monday, Jan. 21 in recognition of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and will reopen at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 22.