Flight Department Administration News
New NBAA Resource Addresses FAA Enforcement Actions
July 23, 2007
NBAA has developed a new Member resource that provides an overview of the five basic types of enforcement actions available to the FAA for use with airmen. The resource also discusses an airman's right to appeal each of the five actions. Additionally, information is provided about the NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System, which can offer protection from certain enforcement actions. Members also can find information about various enforcement actions by downloading NBAA's on-demand education podcasts. Access the resource.
New NBAA Resource Addresses Pilot Retirement Age Issues
June 12, 2007
The FAA’s “Age-60 Rule” requires Part 121 carriers to relieve pilots from their flying duties at age 60, but there is no such FAA regulation in place for non-airline operations. Recently, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed suit against a corporation for forcing pilots in its Part 91 flight department to retire at age 60. In addition, the FAA is currently reevaluating its Age 60 Rule to determine if the mandatory retirement age for airline pilots should be raised. Based on both of these developments, flight departments and operators should review their employment policies, especially those concerning mandatory retirement and pilot qualifications. Learn more about this issue by viewing the NBAA resource titled “Age 60 Issues & Your Flight Operation”.
USERRA - Legal Obligations to Military Personnel Returning to Work
December 28, 2006
Since the beginning of the “War on Terror,” roughly a half a million military reservists (including many pilots, mechanics and flight department personnel) have been called to active duty. The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA) provides anti-discrimination protections, leave rights, reemployment rights, and benefit protections for members of the uniformed services. Unlike other federal employment statutes that are only triggered when an employer employs a certain number of employees or is engaged in interstate commerce, USERRA applies to all non-federal employers in the United States. If a company employs one employee, that one employee is protected by USERRA. Like any other law, it is important to carefully plan so that the company properly complies with USERRA. For more information on USERRA and your business's obligations, read the new article titled "Your Obligation to Military Personnel Returning to Work".
NBAA Releases Certification of Commercial Aircraft Operations Resource
June 12, 2006
NBAA has released a new Members-only article titled “Certification of Commercial Aircraft Operations – Which Rules Apply?” This
publication provides insight into the requirements for certification as a commercial operator under Part 119 as well as the differences between operations
conducted under Parts 135, 125 and 121. It also highlights some of the key issues affecting operators under each of those parts. Download the resource. (912 KB, PDF)
FAA Issues Pilot Records Improvement Act Guidance
April 10, 2006
The Pilot Records Improvement Act (PRIA) was enacted in 1996 to ensure that air carriers adequately investigate a pilot's background before allowing that pilot to conduct commercial air carrier flights, including Part 135 flights. Under PRIA, an air carrier cannot place a pilot into service until after it obtains and reviews the last five years of the pilot's records specified in the act. This order familiarizes FAA inspectors with PRIA and provides procedural information that may be used by air carriers. Additionally, it equips inspectors with the knowledge and necessary tools to competently observe, record and evaluate the PRIA functions of any air carrier assigned to them. Air carriers are encouraged to review a related Advisory Circular (PDF, 163 KB) at and the new PRIA guidance (PDf, 254 KB).
FAA Releases Final Rule for Second-In-Command Type Rating
September 9, 2005
On August 4, 2005, the FAA released the final rule on a new second-in-command (SIC) pilot
type rating. The new rule will bring the U.S. Federal Aviation Regulations into compliance
with international standards on pilot certificates. The SIC final rule requires pilots who
plan to fly outside of U.S. airspace and land in foreign countries to obtain an SIC pilot
type rating. The final rule provides two means for obtaining the SIC rating: SIC familiarization
training and an SIC training program, both detailed within the rule. NBAA commented on this
proposal in November 2004, resulting in the FAA clarifying certain aspects of this rule, specifically
limiting the rule to only international operations. The new rule became effective on September
6, 2005, and the compliance date for the rule is June 6, 2006. More.
Clarification on Department of Labor
Regulations
July 22, 2004
The United States Department of Labor (DOL) published a final rule in the April 23, 2004,
Federal Register, titled, "Defining and Delimiting the Exemptions for Executive, Administrative,
Professional, Outside Sales and Computer Employees." This document provides guidance
regarding the exempt status of particular occupations, including pilots. It is important to
note that, specifically for pilots, there is essentially no change in the Department of Labor's
position. NBAA recommends that flight department managers work with their management/human
resources representatives to determine the impact of this rule on their flight departments,
including pilots and other employees. Find out more
information, including definitions of "exempt" and "nonexempt" in this
context.
Flight Department Administration Resources
NBAA Management Guide
The NBAA Management Guide is designed to provide general background and basic guidance on
the operation of a corporate aviation department. It is intended to assist existing
corporate aviation departments in their operational, maintenance and administrative requirements
and provide useful guidance for establishing a corporate aviation department.
NBAA Air Mail
The Air Mail Flight Department Managers e-mail discussion list was established to address issues, questions and concerns of corporate flight department managers. Topics may include management issues, tax issues, politics or other matters of interest to chief pilots and aviation department managers.
NBAA Compensation & Benchmark Survey
The NBAA Compensation & Benchmark Survey (CBS) is a secure, web-based survey that provides a comprehensive review of aviation department personnel salaries and operational data. The source data are obtained from Members on a confidential basis for the benefit of the Membership and may not be reproduced for publication. NBAA Members that participate in the survey receive free web access to survey results; nonparticipating Members may pay a fee for results. Survey results are not available to non-Members.
NBAA Forum for Enhanced Reliability and Maintainability Standards (FERMS)
NBAA's web-based tool for Members provides business aircraft manufacturers and operators with real-time information about business aircraft maintenance and performance.
Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) Program
The certification of business aviation managers promotes the interest of flight departments and companies using business aircraft by identifying qualified individuals. Existing and aspiring aviation managers prove their knowledge and management skills through the successful completion of a certification exam, and later, by participating in re-certification.
NBAA's Small Aircraft Exemption
Exemption 7897, known as NBAA’s Small Aircraft Exemption, is valid for the two-year period from September 30, 2006, to September 30, 2008. In this
extension, NBAA is granted an exemption by the FAA from 14 CFR 91.409(e) and 91.501(a) to permit NBAA Members to operate small civil airplanes and helicopters
of U.S. registry under the operating rules of 14 CFR 91.503 through 91.535 and to select an inspection program as described in 14 CFR 91.409(f).
International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO)
Developed by the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) and its member associations, including NBAA, the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) is a code of best practices designed to help flight departments worldwide achieve high levels of safety and professionalism.
Travel$ense
Travel$ense is a stand-alone Windows software application created to help management better
analyze and understand business travel. The program automatically calculates the actual business hours, productivity, trip expenses
and family time saved by traveling via business aircraft versus airline alternatives. For
chief pilots, flight department managers or anyone interested in promoting business aviation,
Travel$ense has proven to be a powerful tool to illustrate the extraordinary business advantages
of business aircraft.
Regional Business Aviation Groups Directory
Regional business aviation organizations facilitate both regional and nationwide communication among business aviation professionals. This web-based directory provides information on nearly 50 local business aviation organizations, including scheduler and dispatcher groups.
Guidance for Flight Department Internship Programs
Internships introduce aviation students to potential careers in business aviation. For companies interested in offering a flight department internship or bridge program, NBAA has developed a roster of schools that offer aviation education programs. Designated intern coordinators are listed for each school.
Online Resources for Federal Regulations
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