Sept. 2, 2015
As part of NBAA’s continuing effort to brief local business aircraft operators on Washington, DC developments and receive input from Association Members, two NBAA representatives recently traveled to Atlanta, GA to discuss issues ranging from the FAA reauthorization debate to the Association’s top safety focus areas for 2015.
At a packed meeting of the Atlanta Aero Club on Aug. 26, NBAA Chief Operating Officer Steve Brown discussed the negative ramifications of proposals being offered in Washington for creating a privatized ATC system funded by user fees. Brown said that aviation interests are better served by retaining congressional oversight of air traffic control, and he voiced concern over transparency issues if a privately appointed board oversees ATC.
Read NBAA’s FAA reauthorization resources.
Brown also discussed NBAA’s current battles at Santa Monica Airport (SMO) in California and East Hampton Airport (HTO) in New York. Restrictions proposed by local government officials threaten to reduce airport access, increase costs and hamper business aviation growth.
He also provided an overview of some pressing regulatory issues, such as the Environmental Protection Agency proposal to introduce new regulations on aviation emissions, and recent developments at the Department of Homeland Security regarding customs and security clearance policies. Review NBAA’s comments to the EPA.
Greg Voos, NBAA’s Southeastern regional representative, said that those who attended the Atlanta Aero Club meeting appreciate NBAA’s leadership on the FAA reauthorization debate, especially the Association’s Contact Congress online tool for communicating with federal legislators. View Contact Congress.
Separately, Mark Larsen, NBAA senior manager of safety and flight operations, discussed the Association’s top safety focus areas for 2015 at the Georgia Business Aviation Association’s 10th annual safety day on Aug. 27, which boasted a record turnout of more than 200 attendees.
Larsen highlighted numerous safety issues, such as loss of control in flight, runway excursions, fatigue, procedural non-compliance, distraction and technology management, airspace complexities, and single-pilot task saturation. He noted that safety is built upon professionalism, proper risk assessment, safety leadership, fitness for duty and technical excellence.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.