Source: https://www.nata.aero/enewsletters.aspx?newsid=826
Timestamp: 2019-06-19 07:43:50
Document Index: 108041872

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 135', 'art 135', 'art 135', '§ 135', 'art 121', 'art 121', 'art 135', 'art 135', 'art 91', 'art 139']

January 31, 2011 Volume 10 Issue 5
Ø Senate To Start Consideration Of FAA Reauthorization Bill Today
Ø House General Aviation Caucus Gathering New Members
Ø Register Today For Next Week’s 2011 NATA FBO Leadership Conference
Ø NATA Submits Comments On Part 135 Flight & Rest Rules
Ø Federal Appeals Court Denies Santa Monica Appeal Of FAA Ruling
Ø Senate Announces Committee Assignments
Ø House Homeland Security Subcommittee Members Announced
Ø NATA’s AMT Employer Recognition Award
Ø FBO Opportunities
Ø Top Seven Reasons To Attend NATA’s Spring Training Week
Ø Directory Deadline Is Today!
Ø Policy Playbook Blog “Maintenance Makes It Work”
Senate To Start Consideration Of FAA Reauthorization Bill Today
Late last week, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) announced his intent to bring S. 223, the Senate’s version of a long-term FAA reauthorization bill, to the Floor today for consideration. S. 223, the FAA Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act, is currently being reviewed by NATA staff. The association will provide an overview to all members this week.
House General Aviation Caucus Gathering New Members
U.S. Representatives Sam Graves (R-MO) and John Barrow (D-GA) re-established the General Aviation Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives for the 112th Congress. The caucus is open to all House Members despite party affiliation and committee assignments. In the previous Congress, the caucus had over 125 members. It is the goal of Reps. Graves and Barrow, the caucus co-chairmen, along with general aviation industry groups including the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Experimental Aircraft Association, General Aviation Manufacturers Association, National Air Transportation Association, National Business Aviation Association, Alliance for Aviation Across America, Air Care Alliance, Commemorative Air Force, Recreational Aviation Foundation, Antique Aircraft Association, and International Council of Air Shows, to ensure that the caucus has a large membership to draw upon to highlight important issues facing the general aviation industry.
In just a few short weeks of being re-established, the general aviation caucus is garnering attention among Members of Congress and their staff. Currently, there are 45 members of the caucus. The ultimate goal is to exceed 150 members, which is why we’re asking NATA members to call upon their Member of Congress in the U.S. House of Representatives and request that they join the General Aviation Caucus.
Register Today For Next Week’s 2011 NATA FBO Leadership Conference
The 2011 NATA FBO Leadership Conference will be held at the Savannah Westin Harbor on February 7-8. Here are the top five reasons to attend:
5. Savannah - A place this rich in history, character and natural beauty offers some unforgettable scenes. Click here to see just a few of the unique things you can see in Savannah.
4. Inspiration – NATA President James K. Coyne, National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) President Edward M. Bolen and Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association President Craig Fuller kick off the conference with a leadership luncheon on Monday. On Tuesday morning, pilot and PGA golfer Bobby Clampett shares his winning business and life strategies at breakfast. Find out what is in store for general aviation in 2011, and gain inspiration to lead your business with confidence.
3. Insight – Learn how to maximize your Safety 1st and Workers' Compensation programs and find out how to plan for maximum productivity at NBAA's Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference. Experts from NATA, USAIG and NBAA will lead sessions on how to narrow your focus on these topics and get the best return for your time and effort.
2. Knowledge - Sessions on the 2011 political landscape, general aviation security, the future of aviation gasoline and airport minimum standards provide information on what to expect regarding these issues and how to protect your business interests.
1. Connections - The FBO Leadership Conference provides many business and social occasions to network with colleagues. NATA is pleased to once again present a great opportunity for members by holding its 2011 FBO Leadership Conference on February 7-8 in Savannah, Georgia, in conjunction with NBAA's Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference. Business leaders can enhance their FBO Leadership Conference experience by meeting with their customers and learning about the latest challenges and opportunities facing our industry.
Visit www.nata.aero/fbolc for more information and to register today!
NATA Submits Comments On Part 135 Flight & Rest Rules
Last week, NATA submitted comments to the FAA urging the agency not to alter existing interpretations of Part 135 pilot rest and duty rules. Rather, NATA suggested that the agency should initiate efforts to revise the rules via the rulemaking based upon the recommendations submitted by an industry/FAA working group.
Existing FAA interpretations of the § 135.267(d) look-back rest requirements for on-demand operations stipulate that it is permissible to have the duty day extend beyond the originally planned time if reasonably unforeseen events, such as late arriving passengers or cargo, occur. Through a Notice of Proposed Interpretation published last year, the FAA announced its desire to eliminate those interpretations and essentially create a maximum hard duty limit of 14 hours. Pilots could only exceed the 14-hour limit if an unforeseen delay were to occur after “wheels up” of the final flight segment. The FAA bases their new proposed interpretation on prior interpretations related to Part 121 operations.
NATA explained that the FAA is incorrectly correlating the Part 121 rules to Part 135 and that the establishment of a hard duty limit, where one previously did not exist, amounts to a new requirement that requires rulemaking. NATA and other industry participants recommended a comprehensive set of crew flight, duty and rest rules during the Part 135 Aviation Rulemaking Committee. Establishment of a hard duty limit was one recommendation, but it was balanced by a host of other regulatory changes. The FAA has never responded to that recommendation.
Click here to review NATA’s comments.
Federal Appeals Court Denies Santa Monica Appeal Of FAA Ruling
The City of Santa Monica’s efforts to ban certain types of aircraft from using the city-owned airport has once again received a judicial rebuke. On January 21, the Ninth District Court of Appeals in Washington, DC, denied a request from the City of Santa Monica appealing a lower court ruling that upheld the FAA’s decision that the ban would violate federal law.
“The FAA's final agency decision, which concluded that [Santa Monica’s] ban on Category C and D aircraft from [using the] airport was inconsistent with [the city’s] contractual obligations to the federal government was not arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion or otherwise not in accordance with the law,” wrote Chief Justice David Sentelle. “The petition for review is denied.”
The City of Santa Monica has long contended that category C and D aircraft, aircraft with approach speeds greater than 121 knots, pose a safety concern due to the location of residential areas near the airport. Despite its vocal concerns over safety, the city has repeatedly refused solutions proposed by the FAA, rather favoring a complete ban on certain aircraft activity.
“The FAA remains ready, willing and able to help Santa Monica pay for installing an Engineered Material Arresting System at the airport to address the city's safety concerns,” said Ian Gregor, an FAA spokesman.
The city’s options, relating to instating the ban, now include petitioning the court for a rehearing, allowing the decision to stand or attempting to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court.
Last Thursday, U.S. Senate Republicans and Democrats announced committee assignments for the 112th Congress. The most notable change was the addition of six freshman Republican senators to the Senate Committee on Appropriations. Senators Ron Johnson (R-WI), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Dan Coats (R-IN), Roy Blunt (R-MO), Jerry Moran (R-KS), and John Hoeven (R-ND) will be seated on the committee. No new Democrats will join the committee because of a shift in membership ratios.
Another change worth highlighting is the addition of Senators John Thune (R-SD), Tom Coburn (R-OK), and Ben Cardin (D-MD) to the Senate Committee on Finance.
To view the list of Senate Democratic committee assignments, please click here.
To view the list of Senate Republican committee assignments, please click here.
House Homeland Security Subcommittee Members Announced
U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Peter King (R-NY) and Ranking Member Bennie Thompson (D-MS) announced subcommittee assignments for members of the 112th Congress. “The subcommittees and their members will be critical to the important work of the committee on Homeland Security,” King stated.
Throughout the session, the Subcommittee on Transportation Security will work with the Transportation Security Administration to examine strategies to ensure a safer transportation system, including security on commercial passenger, air cargo, and general aviation aircraft. The implementation of access controls and technology for secure entry to airports will also be addressed.
For a complete list of the majority members of the Committee on Homeland Security, please click here.
For a complete list of the minority members of the Committee on Homeland Security, please click here.
NATA’s AMT Employer Recognition Award
It’s not too late for your organization to participate in the 2011 NATA Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) Employer Recognition Program. In response to many requests, we have extended the application deadline until Friday, February 4th.
This new award program was established by NATA to show its continued support for the advancement of training within the aviation maintenance community. The NATA Aviation Maintenance Technician Employer Recognition Program is open to any full-time aircraft, components maintenance, repair business or Part 91, 121, 125, 127, 129,133, 135, 137, 141, 145, or 147 entity that conducts aviation maintenance. The program awards aviation maintenance organizations that encourage and support aviation maintenance technician training.
The application and list of your company’s qualified training/technicians may be submitted via fax to 703/845-8176 or completed and submitted online by sending the application form to Dennis van de Laar at dvandelaar@nata.aero (preferred).
FBO Opportunities
The San Diego County Regional Airport Authority is seeking qualifications from firms or individuals demonstrating their interest and ability to develop and operate a fixed base operation facility to serve corporate and general aviation activities at the San Diego International Airport.
To obtain the Request for Qualifications, you must register as a vendor on the authority’s Web site at http://www.san.org/business and follow the vendor registration instructions. For this opportunity, use Business Category: 48119; Other Airport Operations. Contact Karie Webber at kwebber@san.org with any questions.
Southern Illinois Airport Authority invites proposals from qualified firms and individuals to provide fixed base operator services in airport-provided facilities and with certain airport-owned equipment. An RFP package is available electronically or by mail by contacting the airport at 618-529-1721 or airport@midwest.net. Sealed proposals will be due no later than 4 p.m., local time, March 1, 2011. A non-mandatory pre-proposal meeting and tour will be held on February 15, 2011, at 10 a.m., local time. The airport authority reserves the right to accept or reject any and all proposals and to waive irregularities in the process and proposals.
6.) More Chances to Win - Visit NATA's booth 1804 at the Cygnus Aviation Expo for more information on our products and services as well as a chance to win NATA’s Spring Training Week “Sports Trivia Challenge.” Grand prize is a gift card and second prize is a registration to an NATA E-learn webinar. All qualified attendees and exhibitors have a chance to win a 2011 Ford F-150 at Cygnus’ FREE Exhibitor and Attendee Networking Party on February 24 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Enjoy live music, drinks, food and networking with industry leaders. Must be present to win.
1.) 14 CFR Part 139 Fire Safety Training Certification – Get the certification and training you need not only to perform your job at the highest level, but also to lead others with confidence at NATA’s popular Line Service Supervisor Training Seminar.
Directory Deadline Is Today!
Today, January 31, 2011, is the deadline to provide updated information for NATA’s 2011 Aviation Resource and Membership Directory.
To ensure that your information is up-to-date and accurate: Visit www.nata.aero, LOGIN and then click on Update Your Profile to make sure that your information is up-to-date and that you get the most from your membership.
Policy Playbook Blog “Maintenance Makes It Work”
NATA Manager of Regulatory Affairs Dennis van de Laar, addresses the importance of aviation maintenance activity in the latest Policy Playbook blog. Also discussed are the association’s comments regarding proposed Inspector Authorization renewal language and the extension of the application deadline for NATA’s AMT Employer Recognition Program to Friday, February 4th, 2011.
Over the last several months, the FAA has endured several reports critical of the agency’s implementation of NextGen, including a report last month from the Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General. According to an article posted on businessweek.com last week, the FAA plans to turn to the private sector to help speed up NextGen implementation.
“Now the FAA in a report due on Feb. 1 is expected to advocate speeding things up by relying even more on private companies.”The firepower is not in-house. Help is needed," says William Voss, chief executive officer of the nonprofit Flight Safety Foundation in Alexandria, Virginia. FAA spokesman Paul Takemoto declined comment on plans for the vendors ahead of the report.”
Read the full article Stuck on the Tarmac: Satellite Navigation at www.businessweek.com.