NBAA Flight Plan Podcasts

The NBAA Access Committee's Weather Subcommittee is looking to add members and increase participation in the group. "The goal is to recruit a diverse group of NBAA Members that represent all operational disciplines - from schedulers and dispatchers to pilots and cabin crewmembers - thereby providing the business aviation perspective to the greater weather community," according to John Kosak, NBAA Air Traffic Services (NBAA ATS) specialist. "We want anybody who is concerned about how do I make it easier, how do I make it so I can get better information regarding weather."

The Association will be on hand this week in Oshkosh at EAA's AirVenture, offering an air-conditioned tent to relax in, as well as a chance to join NBAA for a discount. Additionally, "Each day at AirVenture we'll hold a drawing for one free registration to NBAA's Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (NBAA2015) in Las Vegas," said Kirby Konz, NBAA marketing project manager. As in the past, NBAA will also make its back porch available for Members and visitors to get out of the sun and view the daily AirVenture air show performances from comfortable, shaded seats. Listen to this week's NBAA Flight Plan podcast for more on the Association's participation at AirVenture.

The Association will be on hand this week in Oshkosh at EAA's AirVenture, offering an air-conditioned tent to relax in, as well as a chance to join NBAA for a discount. Additionally, "Each day at AirVenture we'll hold a drawing for one free registration to NBAA's Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (NBAA2015) in Las Vegas," said Kirby Konz, NBAA marketing project manager. As in the past, NBAA will also make its back porch available for Members and visitors to get out of the sun and view the daily AirVenture air show performances from comfortable, shaded seats. Listen to this week's NBAA Flight Plan podcast for more on the Association's participation at AirVenture.

In response to a proposal that would privatize the air traffic control system, and pay for it with the help of user fees, NBAA issued a "Call to Action," and business aviation groups answered the call. "We've got 25 local and regional groups that have written letters from the chairman or president of the group," said NBAA's Director Regional Programs Steve Hadley. Shelly deZevallos, president of Texans for General Aviation was among those who responded, and she urged others to do so too. "Call [your congressman], voice your concern, speak to their office let them know why you're against it. It will impact safety. It will impact the economy," she said.

In response to a proposal that would privatize the air traffic control system, and pay for it with the help of user fees, NBAA issued a "Call to Action," and business aviation groups answered the call. "We've got 25 local and regional groups that have written letters from the chairman or president of the group," said NBAA's Director Regional Programs Steve Hadley. Shelly deZevallos, president of Texans for General Aviation was among those who responded, and she urged others to do so too. "Call [your congressman], voice your concern, speak to their office let them know why you're against it. It will impact safety. It will impact the economy," she said.

Charles Mularski, new chairman of the Asian Business Aviation Association, said he hopes to address some of the "hot spots" business operators encounter in Asia. For example, In Beijing, there is only a single FBO, and in Hong Kong, there is virtually no space for business aircraft parking. "We're overcoming cultural differences and plan to grow the membership by 20 percent this year," he said. "Operators are seeing the value of our organization and they're beginning to share, trust and build a real community."

Charles Mularski, new chairman of the Asian Business Aviation Association, said he hopes to address some of the "hot spots" business operators encounter in Asia. For example, In Beijing, there is only a single FBO, and in Hong Kong, there is virtually no space for business aircraft parking. "We're overcoming cultural differences and plan to grow the membership by 20 percent this year," he said. "Operators are seeing the value of our organization and they're beginning to share, trust and build a real community."

U.S. Rep Bill Shuster (R-9-PA) has announced plans to introduce an FAA reauthorization bill calling for a privatized air traffic control system funded by user fees. But spinning out ATC and funding it with user fees is contrary to long-held positions in the general aviation community, noted NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. "We believe that the ability to tax is the ability to destroy," he said. "Our concern, as it has always been with a privatized system funded with user fees, is it could impede our access to airports and airspace."

U.S. Rep Bill Shuster (R-9-PA) has announced plans to introduce an FAA reauthorization bill calling for a privatized air traffic control system funded by user fees. But spinning out ATC and funding it with user fees is contrary to long-held positions in the general aviation community, noted NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. "We believe that the ability to tax is the ability to destroy," he said. "Our concern, as it has always been with a privatized system funded with user fees, is it could impede our access to airports and airspace."

Government security clearance is not necessary to find vital information about country conditions and potential threats before traveling overseas, according to experts. "You don't need a clearance," said Centennial Airport Executive Director Robert Olislagers, who is also a subject matter expert for the Aviation Security Advisory Committee. "But security generally isn't cheap, and good information is sometimes hard to come by. The biggest problem is that there is good information spread across 20 or more Internet sites. They're good resources, but our goal is to provide a central resource."

Government security clearance is not necessary to find vital information about country conditions and potential threats before traveling overseas, according to experts. "You don't need a clearance," said Centennial Airport Executive Director Robert Olislagers, who is also a subject matter expert for the Aviation Security Advisory Committee. "But security generally isn't cheap, and good information is sometimes hard to come by. The biggest problem is that there is good information spread across 20 or more Internet sites. They're good resources, but our goal is to provide a central resource."

Operators need to be mindful of cultural and procedural differences when flying internationally, said Gary Tucker, a pilot for the Ball Corporation who has flown globally for 15 years. Tucker, who also serves as technical coordinator of the NBAA International Operators Committee, shares his top five tips for international flying, including being prepared for Safety Assessment of Foreign Aircraft in Europe and flying the clearance, not the flight plan, on an international overwater flight.

Operators need to be mindful of cultural and procedural differences when flying internationally, said Gary Tucker, a pilot for the Ball Corporation who has flown globally for 15 years. Tucker, who also serves as technical coordinator of the NBAA International Operators Committee, shares his top five tips for international flying, including being prepared for Safety Assessment of Foreign Aircraft in Europe and flying the clearance, not the flight plan, on an international overwater flight.

In September, NBAA is offering Members a chance to visit the nation's capital and prepare to move up the business aviation career ladder. The Association is hosting two Professional Development Program (PDP) courses at its headquarters. "Regulatory Compliance and Documentation" takes place Sept. 14, followed by "Goal Achievement and Performance Reviews" on Sept. 15. And while at NBAA, "you have the opportunity to sit down face-to-face with folks in the operations division, or in membership, or conventions and marketing," said Tyler Austin, who coordinates NBAA's PDP courses.

In September, NBAA is offering Members a chance to visit the nation's capital and prepare to move up the business aviation career ladder. The Association is hosting two Professional Development Program (PDP) courses at its headquarters. "Regulatory Compliance and Documentation" takes place Sept. 14, followed by "Goal Achievement and Performance Reviews" on Sept. 15. And while at NBAA, "you have the opportunity to sit down face-to-face with folks in the operations division, or in membership, or conventions and marketing," said Tyler Austin, who coordinates NBAA's PDP courses.