Takes Lead On Industry Coalition
Wanting to get the word
out on pending regulations that promise to make life a lot harder
for sightseeing operations, the National Air Transportation
Association (NATA) released a survey on Monday targeted at members
offering air tour and sightseeing flights under Part 135 and Part
91, respectively. These operations are the subject of an on-going
rulemaking effort by the FAA.
"With this survey, we hope to raise the level of awareness about
the FAA's proposal and the adverse impact it will have on hundreds
of small businesses nationwide," explained NATA director of
government and industry affairs, Eric Byer. "Collecting
current and complete data is necessary to convincingly oppose the
rule."
NATA members conducting air tours under Part 135 and all flight
schools that offer sightseeing flights will receive the survey via
email. The association has also posted the survey on its
Website. "Any aviation business impacted by the rule, NATA
member or not, is welcome to complete the survey," Byer explained.
The association asks for all surveys to be returned by March 19,
2004.
In addition to the member survey, NATA has already secured
support from key members of Congress and will pursue a hearing on
the matter. "When a government action has the ability to eliminate
700 small businesses, as the FAA admits is likely to happen with
this rule, something is fundamentally wrong with the rule. We
intend to keep pressuring the FAA until they agree," Byer
continued.
NATA is also leading the efforts of an industry coalition,
formed following a recent meeting with Small Business
Administration officials. As the nationwide voice for aviation
businesses, NATA volunteered to coordinate coalition efforts. The
association plans to host a strategic planning meeting with the
coalition partners shortly.
The FAA-proposed rulemaking, National Air Tour Safety Standards,
has generated strong opposition from nearly all sectors of the
industry. To date, over 1,500 overwhelmingly negative public
comments have been submitted to the FAA. The rules would add new
operational restrictions and equipment requirements for Part 121
and 135 air tour businesses and require air carrier certification
for all air tour operations, even local sightseeing flights
currently exempt from such requirements. The rules will also
severely restrict sightseeing rides conducted to benefit charities
and community events.
The FAA has also proposed several new operational and equipment
requirements for all sightseeing/air tour operations in the form of
the new Part 136. This section includes air tour minimum altitude
and standoff distances, minimum visibility and cloud clearance
requirements that will apply to all flights. Also, for any
flight which goes beyond a shoreline - regardless of whether or not
the aircraft remains within gliding distance of land - all
passengers must wear an approved life preserver at all times.
Special rules for helicopters, requiring installation of special
floats, are also proposed.