NATA's annual 'Day on the Hill' drew a record number of NATA members from around the country to Washington on September 9 to meet with their elected representatives and discuss issues of grave concern to the aviation business community.

"We are grateful for the overwhelming response to this year's Day on the Hill," commented NATA president James K. Coyne (pictured below). "There are critical issues before us right now and there is no better way to impress upon our legislators the importance of these issues than face-to-face contact between our members-those who must deal with the consequences of pending legislation-and our elected representatives."

Nearly 100 NATA members were organized into state delegations to meet with House and Senate members and their staff. The pending FAA reauthorization bill-with its authorization for $100 million in general aviation relief funding-was one of the key issues discussed. Other topics raised by NATA members included:

• Domestic Reduced Vertical Separation Minima;
• the Part 145 repair station rule;
• re-opening Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to on-demand air charter operations; and 
• preservation and protection of this country's general aviation airports.

There were a total of 150 separate meetings held, representing more than 25 states.

"The fact that we had so many attendees here in Washington indicates just how important the passing of the FAA reauthorization conference report is to our membership," added Coyne. "It's time for Congress to take note and listen to what our members are saying."

FMI: www.nata-online.org