| Business Aviation News & Issues |
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Congressional Panel Questions TSA Acting Administrator on LASP
At a hearing of the House Subcommittee on Homeland Security Appropriations last week, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Acting Administrator Gale Rossides took
questions from on the TSA’s proposed Large Aircraft Security Program (LASP) from Subcommittee Chairman David Price (D-4-NC) and Ranking Member Hal Rogers (R-5-KY). Both
congressmen reiterated their concerns about the potential impacts of LASP on general aviation and urged the TSA to work closely with the general aviation community to develop a
sensible security program that enhances security while recognizing the need for flexibility and mobility for GA operators. To review a copy of the letter Price recently sent to
the TSA outlining his concerns about the proposal, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/advocacy/letters/20090317-price-lasp.pdf
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State Officials Continue to Raise Concerns Over LASP
The Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission, a state agency that promotes Oklahoma’s aviation industry, recently sent a letter to the TSA objecting to the LASP proposal. Vic Bird,
director of the commission, said the proposal will not work because it fails to recognize the inherent differences between general aviation and commercial aviation. “I applaud
TSA’s efforts to keep our nation safe from terrorists, especially after 9/11. They have a daunting task and I appreciate what they do. But treating general aviation like
commercial aviation is an unneeded solution searching for a problem,” he said. Read the commission’s letter at:
http://www.ok.gov/OAC/News_Room/index.html
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Bolen Takes No Plane No Gain Message to Washington Aviation Forums
Since its launch in February, the No Plane No Gain campaign has been focused on educating policymakers and opinion leaders about the importance of business aviation to citizens,
companies and communities across the U.S. Last week, NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen spoke at the Federal Aviation Administration’s 34th Annual Forecast Conference, and also to an
annual gathering of the National Association of State Aviation Officials. Bolen highlighted the work of the industry’s advocacy campaign to correct misperceptions about business
aviation at both meetings, and reminded those in attendance: “If your company is located in one of the 100 communities that have seen their airline service decrease or disappear
in the past year, you need business aviation,” Bolen said. “Those communities need the lifeline that business aviation provides.” To view a video clip from Bolen's remarks,
visit:
http://noplanenogain.org/index.php?m=47&s=411
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NBAA Members Reporting IRS Tax Audits on the Rise
With tax season on everyone’s mind, companies that own and operate business aircraft are concerned about the potential for a tax audit. The IRS has been stepping up its audit
efforts particularly in the area of aircraft management companies, and NBAA is working with IRS policymakers on aviation tax guidance. There are key problem areas that may give
rise to a business aviation tax audit and NBAA’s Tax Committee will address this issue head on during the May 29 Business Aviation Taxes Forum in Los Angeles, CA. To learn more
about this seminar, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/events/taxes/2009
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EBACE2009 Focused on Helping You Navigate Industry Turbulence
Online registration is open for the 9th Annual European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE2009). Advertising and sponsorship opportunities are available and
housing is also open for registration for this year’s event. The theme for EBACE2009 is "Business Aviation – The Right Tool for Challenging Times," and as such, the show
will emphasize the ways that NBAA Members can learn how to do more with less and increase their efficiency, productivity and value to their business operations. To register online
or learn more about how EBACE can help your company remain strong during these challenging times, visit:
http://www.ebace.aero
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NBAA, NYAMA Succeed in Removing Onerous Tax From N.Y. Budget
NBAA and the New York Airport Management Association (NYAMA) recently succeeded in removing an onerous tax proposal on business aircraft from the New York state budget. The budget
agreed to by the legislature last week also will allow up to $1 million in unused aircraft improvement program funds to be made available as grants and loans in the next fiscal
year. Despite the good news included in the legislature’s budget, the plan also includes a sales tax on charter aircraft when used to transport employees of the company that owns
the aircraft. The budget also sunsets a current sales tax exemption – set to expire on December 1 – for general aviation maintenance and repair services. NBAA and NYAMA will
continue their advocacy effort in the coming months to preserve the exemption. NBAA Members in New York are urged to contact their legislators to preserve the exemption. For more
information, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/admin/taxes/state/ny/2009-budget.php
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NBAA, CBAG Defeat Bill Restricting BDR Development
NBAA, the Connecticut Business Aviation Group (CBAG) and local operators succeeded in defeating a bill in the Connecticut State Senate that would have restricted the development
and maintenance of Sikorsky Memorial Airport (BDR) in Bridgeport, CT. NBAA, CBAG and other members of the aviation community petitioned and testified before the Transportation
Committee in opposition to the bill, S.B. 563, which would have extended the moratorium on the relocation of Route 113. The committee voted not to recommend the bill to the Senate
floor, removing a major obstacle to the construction of an engineered material arresting system (EMAS) for Runway 6/24. There are still several issues left to resolve before
construction of the EMAS can proceed. For more information, contact NBAA’s Dean Saucier at dsaucier@nbaa.org.
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MKC Prohibits Category C and D Operations on Runways 3, 21
Runways 3 and 21 at Kansas City Charles B. Wheeler/Downtown Airport (MKC) in Missouri recently were reclassified to the B-II airplane design group to meet runway safety area
requirements. Takeoffs and landings by category C and D airplanes are now prohibited on these runways at all times. Category C and D airplanes must use Runway 1 or 19 for takeoff
and landing, as appropriate for the weather conditions. As a reminder, an airplane’s approach category is fixed and based on landing threshold speed at the maximum certified
landing weight and may never be reduced to a lower approach category based on the actual weight at the time of takeoff or landing. For more information, refer to the FAA
Airport/Facility Directory entry for the MKC airport or contact NBAA’s Bob Quinn at bquinn@nbaa.org.
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SFO Construction Closes Runway at Night
Runway 28R/10L at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) will be closed every night from 10:30 p.m. to 8:45 a.m. for runway repaving. Additionally, there will be four
weekend-long closures beginning Friday, April 17, from 10:30 p.m. through 8:45 a.m. Monday. Traffic management initiatives, including ground delay programs, ground stops and miles
in trail are possible during the construction. If wet weather is expected, closures may be cancelled. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed in mid-May. For
more information, contact NBAA’s Dean Snell at dsnell@nbaa.org.
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STMP for Augusta-Area Airports, Apr. 6–13
As part of a long-standing effort between the FAA and industry to manage additional flights from the airlines and general aviation for special events, a special traffic management
program (STMP) will be in effect for airports in the Augusta, GA area from April 6 to 13 during the Masters Golf Tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club. Arrival slots will
be required daily from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. at Augusta Bush Regional Airport (AGS), Daniel Field Airport (DNL), Aiken Municipal Airport (AIK) and the Thomson-McDuffie County
Airport (HQU). There will be preferred arrival and departure routes throughout the week. For additional information, view the FAA’s Special Air Traffic Procedures NOTAM, at:
http://www.agsatct.faa.gov
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BDL Runway Closures Begin Apr. 13
Due to scheduled runway reconstruction at Bradley International Airport (BDL) in Windsor Locks, CT, Runway 6/24 will be closed from April 13 to June 22. For the duration of the
closure, Runways 15/33 and 1/19 will remain open, providing several instrument approaches to the airport, including one instrument landing system approach to Runway 15/33. During
the reconstruction, Runway 15/33 also will be closed from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. on several consecutive weekends, which are yet to be determined. NBAA's GA Desk recommends that
operators check NOTAMs to confirm which runways will be available before flying to BDL. For more information, contact the GA Desk at gadesk@nbaa.org.
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Runway Closure at Colorado’s EGE Starting Apr. 15
Due to a construction project at Colorado’s Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE), the airport’s only runway, Runway 7/25, will be closed from April 15 to September 1. During the
closure, Taxiway A will be reconfigured as Runway 7/25 and only will be open to general aviation for daylight VFR operations. The taxiway will be repainted with non-precision
approach markings and will provide 7,400 feet of usable runway. Neither runway edge lights nor precision approach path indicator lights will be available. Only aircraft with a
wingspan less than 79 feet and an approach speed of less than 120 knots (category B-II) will be permitted to use the runway. For more information, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/airspace/ege
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Ohio Meeting on Maintenance Safety, Apr. 15
The Ohio Regional Business Aviation Association (ORBAA) will hold a maintenance safety meeting on April 15 at Stevens Aviation, Hangar #1, Hangar Drive at Dayton International
Airport (DAY) in Vandalia, OH. The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. and will address best maintenance practices and their impact on safety. For more information contact NBAA’s Bob
Quinn at bquinn@nbaa.org. To RSVP as requested by April 10, contact ORBAA’s Royce Ann Martin at 419-372-0554 or visit the ORBAA web site
at:
http://www.orbaa.org
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Schedulers, Dispatchers Meet in Vancouver, WA, Apr. 16
The Pacific Rim Schedulers & Dispatchers Association (PRSDA) will hold its spring networking meeting on April 16 at the Heathman Lodge in Vancouver, WA near Portland
International Airport (PDX). The meeting will begin with registration at 5:00 p.m., followed by dinner and a keynote address from NBAA’s Doug Carr, vice president, safety,
security & regulation, and will conclude with a giveaway drawing at 8:30 p.m. The cost to attend is $25 for PRSDA members and $40 for non-members. To RSVP and reserve a hotel
room, contact PRSDA's Michaelle Olson at maolson@flyglobalnow.com before April 10. For more information, contact NBAA's Kristi Ivey
at kivey@nbaa.org.
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San Diego-Area Scholarship Fundraiser, Apr. 27
The San Diego Regional Aviation Association (SDRAA) will host is 3rd Annual Scholarship Fundraiser on April 27 at Arrowwood Golf Course in Oceanside, CA. SDRAA is committed to
supporting aviation education, and this event benefits students in the San Diego area pursuing aviation careers. Last year's event raised nearly $10,000 to support SDRAA's
scholarship fund. For tickets or scholarship information, contact SDRAA Director-at-Large Fred Gammon at golf@flysandiego.org or
visit:
http://www.flysandiego.org
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NBAA Requests Member Feedback in Environmental Issues Survey
NBAA welcomes Member feedback on environmental issues from a survey that will end on April 17. While general aviation is responsible for only a small fraction of transportation
emissions, aviation is part of an ongoing review of all carbon emissions by policymakers in the U.S. and elsewhere. Responses to this 10-question survey will help NBAA work with
policymakers to develop reasonable, balanced policies that support the industry's twin goals of promoting the mobility and growth of business aviation while minimizing its
environmental footprint. To begin the survey, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/surveys/environment
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Travel$ense 3.84 Update Released
NBAA has issued a maintenance update, version 3.84, for its business travel productivity-tracking software, Travel$ense. This update addresses changes to the airline reservation
system used by Travel$ense, which caused some airline pricing information to be incomplete without displaying error messages. All Travel$ense users are advised to download and
install this update. Travel$ense is a tool to help management better analyze and understand business travel by automatically calculating the actual business hours, productivity,
trip expenses and family time saved by traveling via business aircraft. For more information, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/prodsvcs/travelsense
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Featured Member Benefit: NBAA Regional Representatives
Did you know that NBAA has six regional representatives throughout the United States? These dedicated staff members advocate on behalf of NBAA Members – and the business
aviation community – on the local level. The Regional Representatives bring their first-hand familiarity with business aviation to their work on access to airports and
airspace, airport policies, environmental protocols, safety and security proposals, taxation and other key issues affecting your business and flight operation. We encourage you to
reach out to your regional representative today. To find out who the regional rep in your area is, visit:
http://www.nbaa.org/regional
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Business Aviation Regional Forum
April 9, 2009, Dallas, TX
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PDP Course: Managerial Communications
April 14, 2009, New Orleans, LA
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PDP Course: Technical Operations – Policy & Procedures Manual Development
April 14, 2009, New Orleans, LA
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24th Annual Maintenance Management Conference
April 15–17, 2009, New Orleans, LA
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PDP Course: Emergency Response Planning Workshop
April 20–21, 2009, Orlando, FL
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9th Annual European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE2009)
May 12–14, 2009, Geneva, Switzerland
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Non-Business Aircraft Use: An In-Depth Compliance Workshop
May 28, 2009, Los Angeles, CA
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Business Aviation Taxes Seminar
May 29, 2009, Los Angeles, CA
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Business Aviation Regional Forum
June 24, 2009, St. Paul, MN
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14th Annual Flight Attendants Conference
June 25–27, 2009, New Orleans, LA
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Business Aviation Regional Forum
September 10, 2009, Las Vegas, NV
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62nd Annual Meeting & Convention
October 20–22, 2009, Orlando, FL
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Review the Full NBAA Events Calendar
http://www.nbaa.org/events
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