News and Notices

Last month, we talked about sequestration as things were just getting started. In the last few weeks, we have seen some new stories develop as well as some details come into the light. As promised, we have continued to monitor these stories and here is what we have found.

Alternative fuels have gained a great deal of attention recently, including in aviation. Rising fuel costs are a highly discussed topic. Solving aviation’s rising fuel costs has lead to the need for alternative fuels. The creation of these fuels requires innovation, ingenuity and an open mind. This leads us to an intrepid Aussie who proposed a better way to fuel his plane, plastic. What better way to test the fuel with a trans hemispherical journey.

Sequestration. This word has quickly become a part of American lexicon. Most know that sequestration is a result of the Budget Control Act of 2011, which sought to establish binding caps on discretionary spending for the next decade and create a joint congressional committee to develop a proposal to achieve at least a $1.2 trillion reduction in the deficit. In an attempt to prod the committee to come to some mutual agreement to deficit cut, sequestration was added to the agreement. While broadly the nation works to determine what impacts it will have, NATA Compliance Services is working to determine what the affects will be to our customers.

Looking to use a contract instructor or a contract check airman in your training program? This month, the FAA released a new InFO (Information for Operators) regarding those individuals and developed information that can help you meet those requirements.

How does an employer go about changing a DOT test to a non-DOT test when the employer discovers after receiving a verified test result that a Federal Drug Testing Custody and Control Form (CCF) was used for a non-DOT test?

A recent Forbes editorial by Joann Muller hardly painted a rosy picture for Business aviation. The article, titled Smelling Freedom, GM Better Not Get A Corporate Jet For Christmas was centered on GM. The US treasury had just announced plans to sell 200 million shares back to GM and its intentions to divest the remaining amount within the next 12-15 months. In her editorial, Joann said, “if GM goes out tomorrow and buys a jet for its executives, shareholders might as well dump their stocks now because it means all the progress the company has made over the past three and a half years has been wasted.” This led many, especially those outside the industry to wonder about the benefits of having a corporate plane.

Though the movie Snakes On a Plane with Samuel L Jackson was largely considered to be a flop, it appears there has been a sequel, albeit one with a lot less star-power and Hollywood special effects. The sequel starred an actual Quantas flight and a 10-foot long scrub python that found made its way onto the plane.

Located in a hangar at the busiest General Aviation airport in the country, the North Valley Occupational Center- Aviation Center has been providing aviation mechanics training for 41 years. However, with funding for education running low, the Los Angeles Unified School District would be forced to close or relocate the school.

1. All Part 135 and General Aviation aircraft on 'an active IFR flight plan may arrive and/or depart from Dulles International Airport (IAD), Baltimore Washington International (BWI) and Manassas Regional/Davis Airport (HEF) Only'. As far as access to DCA goes, only authorized Part 121 and Part 129 regularly scheduled commercial passenger carriers under the TSA AOSSP (Aircraft Operator Standard Security Program) or Model Security Program (MSP) are authorized.

1. Part 121 and 129 regularly scheduled commercial passenger and all cargo flights that meet or exceed the TSA approved AOSSP, FACAOSSP (Full All-Cargo Aircraft Operator Standard Security Program), TFSSP (Twelve-Five Standard Security Program), All Cargo MSP or All-cargo International Security Procedure (ACISP) and DOS Foreign Aircraft issued diplomatic clearance are authorized to operate within the DC SFRA. Foreign Aircraft issued diplomatic clearance are authorized to operate into and out of Andrews Air Force Base (KADW) Only.

1. No General Aviation IFR/VFR flights will be authorized to transit through the DC SFRA.

1. Any provisions for the Maryland 3 airports (College Park- CGS, Executive airport/Hyde field- W32, and Potomac Airfield- VKX) under FDC NOTAM 0/8326 and 14 CFR Part 93 are suspended during the time of this particular NOTAM (Notice to Airmen).

1. If you have a waiver to operate within thee SFRA/FRZ, those are temporarily suspended during the time of this NOTAM, unless your waiver begins with ELO, GOV or SPO.

1. Should you choose to not follow any of the flight restrictions, you might find yourself intercepted, detained and interviewed by security personnel. Violating the restrictions intentionally could subject you to civil penalties, suspension or loss of airmen certificates or criminal charges. If an aircraft is deemed an imminent threat, the FAA has warned that the U.S. government may use deadly force.
   
   Click here to download the FAA Flight Advisory (http://www.faa.gov/news/updates/media/2013_Inauguration_Advisory.pdf).