NATA Likes 'Em

The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) likes new regulations establishing oversight for fractional ownership providers and revising several on-demand air taxi regulations.

After a prolonged but ultimately positive review at the Department of Transportation, the new regulations, collectively known as the "Subpart K" proposal, were delivered to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for final review and approval of the FAA for publication.  The OMB has up to 90 days to complete its review, although longer reviews have occurred.

"I couldn't be more pleased that Subpart K continues to move forward," said Jim Christiansen, who served as chairman of the government-industry working group that developed the proposed rules. 

"Industry leaders in both fractional ownership and on-demand commercial operations invested hundreds of man-hours to participate in a brand-new rulemaking process with the FAA.  It's gratifying to see our work approaching completion."  Christiansen is a former chairman of the NATA Board of Directors and current chairman of NATA's Fractional Aircraft Business Council (FABC).

"NATA looks forward to an uneventful review at OMB and the subsequent publication of the rules.  Based upon the regulations proposed, we believe that this rulemaking package will provide an appropriate level of regulation for the fractional ownership industry while modernizing several on-demand operator regulations," said NATA vice president Joseph E. (Jeb) Burnside.

"We've already been in touch with the FAA to pledge the support and assistance of the FABC in educating the industry about the new requirements and aiding the FAA in their development of training and guidance documents, as appropriate," Burnside indicated.

FMI: www.air-transport.org