NATA Airline Services Council



NATA Airports Committee

Meeting

Alexandria, VA

May 14, 2009

Minutes

I. Welcome

Chairman Gregg Rorabaugh welcomed NATA Airport Committee members to the meeting at 8:06 a.m.

Meeting participants included:

• Gregg Rorabaugh, Chevron Products Company, Chairman

• Robb Bergeson, Edwards Jet Center – Billings

• John Farmer, Signature Flight Support

• Darren Fuller, Ascent Technologies Group Inc.

• Ted Hamilton, Landmark Aviation, Vice Chairman

• Joel Hirst, Avfuel Corporation

• Bob Jandebeur, Navigance Technologies Group

• Marty Kretchman, Volo Aviation

• Steve Lassetter, Sun Air Jets

• Steve McCullough, Air BP Aviation Services

• Michael Mueller, Jet Aviation – St. Louis

• Alfred Peterson, Nantucket Memorial Airport

• Gary Shafer, Southern Illinois Airport Authority

Staff participants included:

• Eric Byer, NATA

• Mike France, NATA

Guest participants included:

• Paul Miley, SIU Graduate Student

• Dennis Van de Laar, SIU Graduate Student

• Gregory Schramuk, SIU Graduate Student

• Adam Turner, SIU Graduate Student

II. GA Serves America

Eric Byer provided the committee an overview of AOPA’s GA Serves America program. AOPA launched the General Aviation Serves America campaign last month to combat the economic, regulatory, and legislative difficulties besetting general aviation. The campaign's premise is that widespread misconceptions about general aviation are at the root of all these challenges. AOPA recently appointed NATA President James K. Coyne as the chairman of the GA Serves America Advisory Council.

III. Approval of March 18th Teleconference Minutes

Chairman Greg Rorabaugh asked for approval of the March 18th committee Minutes. The committee unanimously agreed.

IV. NATA Day on the Hill Summary

Eric Byer briefed the committee on the May 13, 2009, NATA “Day on the Hill” activities. Due to tighter schedules created by Congress shortening its work week, most meetings were held with congressional staff. In addition to specific member concerns, the meetings addressed the following issues:

• Security Directive 08F

• Large Aircraft Security Program

• FAA Standardization

• Employee Free Choice Act

• FAA Reauthorization

NATA staff will follow up with Congressional staff.

V. Regulatory Update

• SD 08F

Eric Byer informed the committee that NATA, in its “Day on the Hill” follow up, would be asking Members of Congress to write letters to the TSA opposing this use of an SD to impose regulatory changes. NATA will also be partnering with other aviation trade associations to send a letter to the Department of Homeland Security.

• LASP

Eric Byer reviewed the current status of the TSA’s Large Aircraft Security Program with the committee. NATA and other industry groups have participated in a series of meetings with the TSA on the LASP. The TSA has expressed interest in the idea of a “trusted pilot” as the center piece of any changes to the LASP. The TSA is currently reviewing industry recommendations and is expected to release changes to the LASP later this summer.

• NFPA 409

Mike France reviewed the associations efforts on opposing changes to NFPA 409 that would require automatic sprinkler systems to be installed in all new hangars under 12,000 square feet. NATA President James K Coyne met, in April, with the NFPA committee tasked with revising NFPA 409 to express our concerns with the proposed changes to the standard. NATA will also be working with its members and the NFPA to propose changes to NFPA 409 that will bring the foam fire suppression requirement more in line with the actual risk of fire.

VI. General Discussion

The committee engaged in general discussion about the effect of the current recession on our industry. The general consensus was that the industry is down 15-25% from last year. Overall, the committee believes that we have reached the bottom and the industry must now begin to focus on the current negative public perception of general aviation.

VII. TSA General Aviation Security Office Update

TSA Assistant Administrator of Transportation Sector Network Management John Sammon provided the committee with an update on the LASP. Mr. Sammon stated that the TSA is in the process of evaluating and defining the terms “trusted pilot” and “trusted passenger” as possible new center pieces in the LASP. This concept would place the security responsibility on a trusted pilot who met TSA qualifications. The committee suggested that the use of trusted Pilots allow for additional access in TFRs. The TSA will review the LASP and issue changes later this summer.

VIII. FAA Airports Office Update

FAA Airports Office Director of Airport Compliance & Field Operations Randall Fiertz along with Kevin Willis, FAA Airports Compliance specialist, provided the committee with a briefing on FAA Airports Office issues. Mr. Fiertz reviewed the structure of the FAA Airports Office for the committee and discussed recent priorities including disbursement of stimulus funds, wildlife management, airport privatization, FAA labor issues. Eric Byer commended the FAA for its work on access issues at airports such as Santa Monica Municipal and Van Nuys.

IX. Guide to Minimum Standards and Airport Rules & Regulations

Eric Byer distributed the latest revision of the Guide to Minimum Standards and Airport Rules & Regulation to the committee for review. Mr. Byer stated that it was his opinion that the guide should be provided to members free of charge. The committee agreed to approach the American Association of Airport Executives about partnering on the document as long as AAAE agreed to disburse the document without charge. The committee also agreed that the document should be finalized in a 30-60 day time frame, allowing it to be delivered to the membership quickly.

X. Legislative Update

Eric Byer updated the committee on the association’s activities regarding the following legislative issues:

• FAA Reauthorization

• FAA Standardization

• Employee Free Choice Act

XI. Committee Meeting Update

The next committee meeting will be held September 14-15, 2009, in Long Beach, CA.

XII. Adjournment

The committee adjourned at 12:00 Noon.

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