NBAA Update Archive

NBAA Update #04-28
Monday, July 12, 2004

NBAA Update is the National Business Aviation Association's weekly e-mail newsletter, providing the latest operational, regulatory and political news for the business aviation community. Subscribe for free or review the archives at www.nbaa.org/update. Send your comments about NBAA Update to update@nbaa.org.

Business Aviation News & Issues

NBAA Regional Forum Comes to Hong Kong This Thursday, Friday
On July 15 and 16 at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), NBAA will host its first international Business Aviation Regional Forum, which is planned as a pre-cursor to the Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (ABACE) that will debut next year in Shanghai. Scheduled Exhibitors are Atlantic Turbines, B/E Aerospace, Bombardier, Elite Traveler, Embraer, Flying Magazine, Gore Design, Gulfstream, Hong Kong Business Aviation Centre, Metrojet Ltd., Satcom Direct and Universal Weather. On July 15 the NBAA-moderated Special Forum Session titled "What Is Business Aviation?" – featuring speakers from Air China, Emerson Electric, Home Depot, Kodak and Wal-Mart – will discuss the issues, opportunities and challenges facing business aviation in Asia. For more information, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/news/pr/2004/20040712-045.php

NBAA Lauds Repeal of Rhode Island Aircraft Sales and Use Taxes
Rhode Island Governor Donald L. Carcieri signed legislation on July 5 to repeal aircraft sales and use taxes. The repeal, effective January 1, 2005, exempts the sale, storage, use or other consumption of new or used aircraft and aircraft parts from taxation. Labor charges continue to be exempt where they are stated separately by the seller. Signing of the legislation concludes more than one year of work by a coalition of general aviation organizations, led by NBAA Regional Representative Dean Saucier and NBAA Tax Committee member Ed Kammerer of Edwards & Angell, LLP. The coalition also included the Rhode Island Aviation Association, AOPA, the Rhode Island Pilots Association and several local pilots' organizations. For more information, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/news/pr/2004/20040707-043.php

NBAA Concerned About Proposed Publication of Aircraft Registration Numbers in Trenton
On July 7, NBAA Chairman and Interim President Donald E. Baldwin submitted a letter to the Mercer County (NJ) executive on behalf of the NBAA Membership to express concern about the proposed publication of the registration numbers of aircraft that operate between midnight and 6:00 a.m. at the Trenton-Mercer County Airport (TTN). While NBAA believes such action would be unreasonable and unjustly discriminate against the operators of those aircraft and, therefore, violate FAA grant assurances, the Association's major concern is security. "It does not make good public policy or business sense to compromise the privacy and security of any operations at the airport," said Baldwin, who urged Mercer County not to implement its proposal. Download a copy of the letter in PDF format at:
http://www.nbaa.org/ops/airports/ttn

NBAA to Meet with DOT and FAA on Part 135 "Piggybacking" Issue
This week, members of NBAA's Staff, Tax Committee and FAR Part 135 Committee will meet with government officials for a discussion on Part 135 certificate "piggybacking," which is the term used when corporate aircraft are added to a Part 135 certificate to increase utilization. The Department of Transportation has expressed concerns regarding economic authority requirements when a Part 91 aircraft and its crew fly flights for a 135 certificate holder. Likewise, the FAA is concerned about operational control issues. Government officials recognize the importance and benefits of these arrangements for both the charter industry and for aircraft owners. NATA and its Air Charter Committee also are working with NBAA on this initiative. For more information, contact NBAA's Mike Nichols at mnichols@nbaa.org or Douglas Carr at dcarr@nbaa.org.

Fractional Ownership Program Compliance Deadline Is Feb. 17
The FAA released regulations for fractional aircraft programs/operations in September 2003. The regulations provide for a 15-month compliance period, with a deadline of February 17, 2005. Existing fractional programs that plan to continue as fractional, operating under the new FAR Part 91, Subpart K, are strongly encouraged to notify the FAA of their intentions to continue as fractional as soon as possible. FAA projects that at least a full six months will be required to gain approval of Fractional Management Specifications (similar to Part 135 Operations Specifications). NBAA's FAR Part 135 Committee, which also assists NBAA Members with fractional issues, is a resource. For more information, contact NBAA's Mike Nichols at mnichols@nbaa.org.

Input Needed by Jul. 15 on Proposed Hold Line Enhancements
The FAA Office of Runway Safety and Operational Services is urging airport officials and aircraft operators to comment on proposed enhancements to runway hold-line markings. The changes are part of Appendix 3, Standards for Airport Markings (Draft AC 150/5340-1H), released earlier this year. The FAA is asking for input on new markings tested at Providence, RI's T.F. Green Airport (PVD) last summer. Besides general comments, the FAA is seeking input on five specific items, which are detailed in a transmittal letter. The draft AC, the transmittal letter and a summary report all are available on the FAA Airports web page at:
http://www.faa.gov/arp/publications/acs/draftacs.cfm

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Regional News

NBAA Urges Members to Oppose California Assembly Bill 2107
NBAA continues to oppose California Assembly Bill (AB) 2107 (Levine), which would change the requirements exempting aircraft from a maximum 7.75-percent use tax on aircraft sales and leases. The measure would allow fewer aircraft owners and operators to qualify for the exemption. Today the California Assembly will vote in an attempt to acquire the two-thirds vote needed to pass AB 2107 before sending it on to the Senate. NBAA urges California Members to communicate with their Assembly members and state senators, asking them to oppose the bill. To review bill specifics, visit http://www.leginfo.ca.gov, select "Bill Information" and enter "2107." For more information, contact NBAA's Dan Burkhart at dburkhart@nbaa.org. To obtain state contact information, visit NBAA's Contact Congress site and select "State Elected Officials" at:
http://www.nbaa.org/congress

FXE Construction Impacts FLL in Florida
Runway 8/26 at Florida's Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE) will be closed for repaving from July 12 to 23. Jet/turbojet traffic may still land at FXE, though it is up to the operator to determine if aircraft will meet performance criteria to land and takeoff on Runway 13/31, a 4,000-foot runway. From July 16 to 19, both runways, not the airport, will be closed. Operators may elect to use Fort Lauderdale International (FLL) during that time period. FLL management intends to close a taxiway for additional parking areas and to make available the use of Runway 9R during heavy demand times. Finally, FXE Runway 8/26 will be closed Monday through Friday from July 23 to September 22 between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. for additional runway maintenance. This information corrects the FXE notice that appeared in last week's NBAA Update. For more information, contact the NBAA GA Desk at gadesk@nbaa.org.

NY ARTCC Releases Guidance on Radio Communications Frequencies
The FAA New York Air Route Traffic Control Center has issued Letter to Airmen No. 04-01, Radio Communications Frequencies. This document updates information to assist pilots in the selection of correct VHF/UHF frequencies for direct center-to-pilot radio communications when operating IFR within the areas described. Download the letter in PDF format at:
http://www.nbaa.org/ops/airspace/ZNY_LTA0401.pdf

Business Aviation Regional Forum Scheduled for Seattle Area Aug. 26
On August 26, NBAA will host a Business Aviation Regional Forum at Galvin Flying Service on Boeing Field/King County International Airport (BFI) in Seattle, WA. This event will feature approximately 50 Exhibitors, 25 aircraft on Static Display and 800 Attendees. Briefing topics will include security for business aviation operations, getting the most from aircraft OEMs, regulatory options for business aviation operations, planning domestic flights into RVSM airspace, flight department management systems, a local group update, and more. The Seattle-area Regional Forum will be held in conjunction with a Maintenance Management Workshop on August 25 and a Regulatory Issues Forum on August 27. For more information, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/cs/forums/20040826

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NBAA News

NBAA Board Nominates Five for Election at Annual Meeting
The NBAA Board of Directors has nominated five Member Representatives to stand for election at NBAA's Annual Meeting of Members on Wednesday, October 13, 2004. Three current Board members standing for reelection are Jeffrey W. Lee, director of flight operations, IBM Corporation; John H. Ratcliff, aviation director and chief pilot, Ford Motor Company; and George A. Saling, vice president, aviation and travel services, Altria Corporate Services, Inc. Two Member Representatives standing for their first election to the Board are Randy Hudon, director, corporate aviation, BellSouth Corporate Aviation and Travel Services, and Douglas Schwartz, aviation director, AT&T Aviation. Voting proxies will be sent to NBAA Member Representatives in early September 2004. For more information, contact NBAA's Douglas Carr at dcarr@nbaa.org. Review the current NBAA Board roster at:
http://www.nbaa.org/about/board

Tax Committee to Host 13th Annual Conference, Risk Management Session
The NBAA Tax Committee will host two events this October in conjunction with the NBAA 57th Annual Meeting & Convention in Las Vegas: The NBAA 13th Annual Tax, Regulatory & Risk Management Conference and a panel discussion called "NBAA Insurance & Risk Management in Today's Environment." The two-day Conference is designed to provide flight department personnel and their accountants/attorneys a basis for understanding how the appropriate tax laws and regulations apply to business aviation operations. During the two-hour Insurance & Risk Management Session, a panel of insurance experts will discuss a variety of hot issues, including claims handling, war risk insurance, the emerging very light jets (VLJs) and FBO ground handling. For more information, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/news/pr/2004/20040707-044.php

Deadline for Business Aviation Scholarships Is Aug. 9
NBAA currently offers nine scholarships to promote professional development and business aviation careers. All awards are made to U.S. citizens without regard to sex, race, religion, or national origin. Applications for the following NBAA scholarships are due by Monday, August 9: Avfuel Michigan Business Aviation Scholarship, Lawrence Ginocchio Aviation Scholarship, NORDAM Dee Howard/Etienne Fage Scholarship, USAIG PDP Scholarship and William M. Fanning Maintenance Scholarship. For more information, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/scholarships

Chairman's Charity Classic to Benefit Angel Flight West
The NBAA 8th Annual Chairman's Charity Classic Golf Tournament will be held on Sunday, October 10, at the Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort in conjunction with the NBAA 57th Annual Meeting & Convention. This year's Classic will benefit Angel Flight West, a not-for-profit organization based in Santa Monica, CA that serves the western United States by providing free, non-emergency air transportation in response to medical and other compelling human needs. Learn more about Angel Flight West at http://www.angelflight.org. For more information about the Classic, to become a Sponsor, or to register, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/2004/golf

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