DOT: 'Sequester' Cuts Will Impact Aviation
Department of Transportation Secretary and Federal Aviation Administrator Michael Huerta sent a jointly signed letter to NBAA and other aviation organizations last week reporting that government inaction to prevent a looming "sequester" – which would require across-the-board budget cuts at all federal agencies – will likely lead to reductions in the ATC workforce, ATC tower closures at some airports and increased delays in the aviation system. "While it's disappointing that such safety-of-life services might be reduced in some instances, NBAA will work with the FAA and all other aviation stakeholders in a collaborative way, to help ensure that the aviation system functions at an optimal level, even under such a unique and challenging scenario," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen in a statement responding to the news. Read NBAA's response to the DOT.

NBAA Criticizes White House's Renewed Distortions About Business Aviation
Responding to a White House assertion that American companies only use business aircraft because "it's extremely convenient and they can afford it," NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen responded swiftly, calling the White House depiction of business aviation "a caricature that is at odds with reality, adding that, "For companies trying to be efficient and productive enough to compete in an extraordinarily difficult economy, business aviation is not a 'convenience' – it's a critical tool." Read NBAA’s response to the White House.

News Organizations Now Questioning White House Comments on Business Aviation
In recent weeks, as White House officials have repeatedly suggested that changes to business aviation tax policies may be necessary for reducing the deficit, the administration has often painted the industry with a negative brush. NBAA has quickly and forcefully responded, but so too have congressional lawmakers, labor leaders and small business champions. This week, national and local news outlets waded into the debate, calling into question the administration's rhetoric about business aviation, and the effectiveness of its tax proposals for the industry in reducing the deficit. Review a summary of the recent give-and-take between reporters and White House officials.

NBAA Meets With Treasury to Urge Relief From 'Leasing Company Trap'
NBAA staff and Tax Committee members recently met with high-level officials in the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Tax Policy to discuss a number of tax-policy issues related to the ownership and operation of business aircraft. Specifically, NBAA requested that Treasury and IRS officials deal with the "leasing company trap," which unfairly penalizes aircraft owners that lease an aircraft to related parties for legitimate business reasons. NBAA also requested a revision of listed property rules to eliminate a situation where owners can be penalized for making their aircraft available for charitable purposes. Review NBAA's submission to Treasury officials.

NBAA, Other Groups Propose Changes to TSA's GA Airport Security Guidelines
A working group composed of general aviation organizations, including NBAA, recently submitted its list of proposed revisions to the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA's) security guidance for general aviation (GA) airports. The General Aviation Subgroup of the TSA Aviation Security Advisory Committee submitted its recommendations on Feb. 14 to revise the original Security Guidelines for General Aviation Airports document published by the agency in 2004. "We're largely talking about tweaks to the existing guidelines, rather than wholesale changes," said Doug Carr, NBAA vice president for safety, security, operations & regulation. Read more about the proposed changes.

FAA Issues Notice on Training Records for Contract Check Airmen
The FAA recently issued new guidance regarding records for contract instructors and contract check airmen. In Notice 8900.208, "Initial Training Program Records for Contract Instructors and Contract Check Airmen," the agency provides guidance to FAA inspectors and Part 135 and Part 91(K) operators for situations where an air carrier or program manager has nominated or is using a contract instructor or contract check airman in its training program whose initial training records are not available. View the notice.

IFR Departure Clearances Expanded for GNSS-Equipped Aircraft
Last week the FAA issued a notice to airmen (NOTAM) allowing properly-equipped aircraft to be issued instrument flight rules (IFR) departure clearances from uncontrolled airports that are beyond 40 NM from the NAVAID without radar monitoring. GNSS-equipped aircraft may now receive these clearances with point-to-point route segments, on the ground, or in the air. Prior to this change, IFR clearances were only issued when either ATC radar monitoring was available or when a departure procedure was published including a transition to the en-route structure. View the full NOTAM FDC 3/9599.

Georgia Association Is Latest Group to Weigh in Against User Fee Proposals
The Georgia Business Aviation Association (GBAA) is the latest regional aviation group to ask its congressional delegation to reject the Obama administration's proposed $100 per flight user fee, recommending instead retaining the current "pay-at-the-pump" fuel-taxation method. "The proposed per-flight tax would most certainly aggravate an already bad [economic] situation and cause irreparable damage to this vital industry," wrote GBAA chair David Small. "We stand ready to work with you to educate others about the value of business aviation in Georgia and the nation as a whole." Read more of GBAA's letter.

New North Dakota University Program Tailored to Business Aviation
The Department of Aviation at the University of North Dakota (UND) John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences will soon offer students a chance to specialize in business aviation. The program was created "for somebody who has targeted business aviation as a career choice," said department Chairman Kent Lovelace, who also sits on the governing board of NBAA's Certified Aviation Manager program. "What this [course of study] does is better prepare students to move into the business aviation community and make a greater contribution sooner." Listen to this week's edition of the NBAA Flight Plan podcast to learn more about the new UND business aviation program.

Operators Value IS‑BAO for Team Approach to Safety
A set of global best practices developed by and for the industry, the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) offers an opportunity for flight departments to focus on safety as a team. And for flight operations of any size that are interested in learning how to implement IS-BAO's team approach to a safety management system, workshops are being offered this year in nearly 30 locations worldwide, including dozens in the U.S., as well as in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, Switzerland and the U.K. Learn more about the value of IS-BAO.

Revised Teterboro VFR Departure Procedure Effective March 7
A revision to the VFR Dalton departure procedure off Runway 19 at New Jersey's Teterboro Airport (TEB) will be published on March 7. The Dalton 2 Departure Procedure will be available only by pilot request. Pilots must ensure they are completely familiar with the restrictions on the procedure due to the close proximity of overhead arrivals into Newark Liberty International (EWR) Runway 22. The revised procedure will maintain the 1,300 feet altitude restriction and a turn to heading 280 after departure will need to be completed within 2.4 nautical miles DME of the Teterboro VOR. NBAA urges pilots to familiarize themselves with the altitude and heading requirements for the procedure before requesting it. For more information, contact NBAA's Dean Snell at dsnell@nbaa.org. Review details on the revised TEB procedure.

New RNAV Departures Coming to Boston Logan
In a letter to airmen last week, Boston Logan International Airport's (BOS) air traffic control tower announced expanded availability of RNAV standard instrument departure procedures (SIDs) for jet aircraft. Effective March 7, eight new RNAV SIDs will be published and available, equipping each jet-departure runway on the field with an RNAV SID. The FAA is requesting operators and pilots to include the new RNAV SIDs and preferred route in their filed flight plans. The filed SID should be one that departs the Boston area on a route that is contained in the filed flight plan. Review the changes.

Don't Miss Next Week's International Operators Conference in San Diego
Whether you're a seasoned international pilot or just beginning to fly overseas; just crossing a border or flying to the far corners of the globe; in the cockpit, based at the hangar or a trip planning office – NBAA's International Operators Conference has invaluable resources and the latest information you need. Now in its 40th year, the conference will be held next week, March 4 to 7 in San Diego, CA. Register now.

Deadline for Compensation & Benchmark Survey Submissions Is March 6
The NBAA Compensation & Benchmark Survey provides in-depth data on aviation department salaries and operational information to help Members better evaluate their flight departments. Every year, the survey elicits responses from hundreds of aviation departments, providing compensation data on thousands of employees. Only NBAA Member Representatives at companies that operate aircraft are eligible to take the survey. Members who take the survey by the March 6 deadline will have free online access to the results. Learn more and take the survey.

Call for Nominations: Schedulers & Dispatchers Leadership Award
The nomination period is now open for NBAA's 2014 Schedulers & Dispatchers Outstanding Achievement and Leadership Award. The award recognizes professionals who share outstanding business aviation industry expertise, provide extraordinary service, exhibit leadership and have made significant contributions to the scheduling and dispatching function. Members are invited to nominate someone who has a history of leadership in the scheduling and dispatching profession by Aug. 16. Download the nomination form online.

Registration Open for Business Aviation Taxes Seminar, May 3
Join industry leaders and members of the NBAA Tax Committee for an in-depth seminar on the latest tax and regulatory topics at this year's Business Aviation Taxes Seminar on May 3 in Washington, DC. Designed specifically for accountants, attorneys, advisors, and flight department personnel, the annual seminar offers an in-depth understanding of the legal and regulatory issues affecting taxes on business aircraft. The event is also an ideal opportunity to network with fellow tax and legal advisors and potential clients. Register for the seminar now.