Chicago's Daley Orders Midnight Closure of Meigs Field Via Bulldozer

Shortly after midnight on March 31, construction equipment with police escort arrived at Chicago's Meigs Field (CGX) to address "homeland security issues" at the airport by carving "X"-shaped patterns across the runway. The action effectively closed the airport, stranding nearly a dozen aircraft on the ramp. NBAA is outraged by the actions taken by the City of Chicago, especially since an agreement struck last year between Daley and former Governor George Ryan would have kept the airport open at least until 2006. "We are shocked that the mayor has taken this unilateral action without apparent coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Homeland Security and airport users," said NBAA President Jack Olcott. "This action is inconsistent with Federal safety requirements and the normal communication process." The city has yet to announce any plan to allow the stranded aircraft to depart. NBAA Members are encouraged to check all NOTAMs relating to airspace and airport closures around Chicago. Additionally, Members also should visit NBAA's Contact Congress web site at to inform their Congressional representatives about this recent action. NBAA will provide updates as they develop.

TSA Grants Extension For Criminal History Records Check
Updated April 2, 2003
Recognizing the difficulties in meeting the Fingerprint-based CHRC as required by the Twelve-Five and Private Charter Standard Security Programs, TSA granted a 15 day exemption to regulated operators. This will require that all CHRC submissions be made by April 16, 2003. According to the TSA notice, this exemption is to allow for processing and adjudication of the CHRC. The notice further states that after May 1, 2003, operators not meeting the full requirements of the rules will be considered to be in noncompliance. Review the TSA April 1, 2003 Notice (100 KB Word File)

CDC Issues Additional International Travel Restrictions For SARS
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on Saturday, March 29 recommended against travel to China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Hanoi because of the spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), a potentially fatal form of pneumonia. Travelers to those locations "may wish to postpone their trips until further notice" according to the CDC. As of Saturday, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that a cumulative total of 1,550 cases and 54 deaths have been reported from 13 countries worldwide. Further information on SARS is available on the CDC web site at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars or the WHO web site at www.who.int/csr/sars/en.

Nominations Sought For 2003 Balchen/Post Award
The International Aviation Snow Symposium is seeking recommendations for the 2003 Balchen/Post Award for excellence in the performance of airport snow and ice control during the winter of 2002-2003. NBAA is a member of the Awards Selection Committee. Members wishing to nominate an airport for considerations should submit a letter of recommendation by April 4, 2003.

Southern California Business Aviation Forum A Success
NBAA's Business Aviation Forum & Static Display, held on March 28 in Long Beach, CA, was an unqualified success, with approximately 1,500 people in attendance. A total of 37 airplanes -- from entry-level single-piston aircraft to the world's most sophisticated business jets -- were on display outside, while indoors, 55 vendors exhibited their products and services within AirFlite's hangar. A total of 12 Informational Sessions provided the Southern California business aviation community with briefings and updates on the industry's most important issues. "Feedback from vendors and attendees alike was especially positive, encouraging and appreciative," said NBAA's Joe Ponte. For more information, contact Ponte at jponte@nbaa.org. For details about NBAA's next Forum on June 5 in Farmingdale, NY, visit: www.nbaa.org/seminars/baf/baf_2003_06_05.htm

Naples To Appeal FAA Decision; Stage 2 Ban Still Enforced
Despite the March 11 FAA determination that the ban on Stage 2 aircraft operations imposed at Naples Municipal Airport (APF) violates the Federal Aviation Act and Federal grant assurances, the City of Naples Airport Authority (NAA) has announced that they will continue to enforce the ban. Review the NAA statement on the NAA web site, www.flynaples.com. As a leading party in a lawsuit filed shortly after the airport imposed the ban, NBAA will continue to participate in the proceedings to ensure that the integrity of the 65 dB noise contour is upheld and to defend the fundamental concept of Federal aviation grant assurances.

New Jersey DOT Orders Additional Security Measures
On March 21, the New Jersey Domestic Security Preparedness Task Force ordered aeronautical facilities to utilize a "two-lock security system" on aircraft that are parked or stored at airports within that state for more than a 24-hour period starting Friday, March 28. This system should secure or disable the aircraft to prevent illegal or unlawful operation. In addition, aeronautical facilities are ordered to prominently post signage that displays emergency contact information. NBAA is fundamentally opposed to each state, municipality or region developing its own security requirements. NBAA continues to work with the TSA and support the development of a national security standard. Also available are answers to Frequently Asked Questions and a copy of the letter from New Jersey Director of Aeronautics Thomas P. Thatcher (PDF, 84 KB) outlining additional information.

EBACE2003 Exhibits Up Nearly 14 Percent
EBACE2003, the only European exhibition of its kind to focus totally on business aviation, will be held May 7 through 9, 2003, at Geneva Palexpo, located immediately adjacent to the Geneva International Airport in Geneva, Switzerland. As of March 26, EBACE2003 representatives reported 587 booth spaces sold to 215 Exhibiting Companies, an increase of 13.9 percent in booth sales and 5.3 percent in Exhibitors as compared to the same period leading up to EBACE2002 last year. Furthermore, current sales for EBACE2003 are already ahead of the total 532 booth spaces sold for EBACE2002, held May 28 through 30, 2002.

TFRs and Special NOTAMs Issued In Response To Code Orange
Updated March 27, 2003
The FAA has issued several security-related NOTAMs since March 17, when the Department of Homeland Security raised the national threat level to Code Orange (High). These NOTAMs have created airspace restrictions or controls for various U.S. regions, including the Chicago, New York and Washington metropolitan areas. NBAA urges operators to check NOTAMs before conducting flight operations. For details about recent airspace restrictions, visit www.nbaa.org/airspace/restrictions.

Request for Proposals: Update of International Flight Operations CD
In the early 1990s, NBAA developed the Oceanic Flying, Operations and Procedures publication, a compendium of United States, International Civil Aviation Organization and other documents, both regulatory and advisory, intended to provide basic guidance for those performing international flight operations. This publication was last revised in 1999, when it was converted to CD-ROM format. NBAA requests proposals from qualified applicants to update the contents and format of this CD-ROM publication. Proposals are due no later than Friday, April 18. For more information, contact NBAA's Linda Eaton at leaton@nbaa.org.

NBAA To Celebrate 100 Years of Aviation Maintenance This May
Members of the business aviation community are invited to celebrate the achievements of past and present aircraft maintenance technicians at the NBAA Maintenance Management Conference, this May 17 through 21 in Charlotte, NC. This World Flight 2003 Centennial of Aviation Maintenance event also will honor Charles E. Taylor, mechanic and engine builder for the Wright Flyer and the "Father of Aviation Maintenance." The NBAA Maintenance Management Conference is the only event that provides current and developing maintenance managers the opportunity to learn information and solutions about the latest issues affecting the business aviation maintenance community today. NBAA Associate Members are invited to exhibit at this special anniversary event.

FAA Administrator Blakey Is EBACE2003 Opening General Session Speaker
NBAA and the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) are pleased to announce that FAA Administrator Marion C. Blakey will be the keynote speaker for the Opening General Session of EBACE2003, to be held May 7 through 9 in Geneva, Switzerland. The Opening General Session will be hosted by EBAA Chairman Brian M. Humphries and NBAA President Jack Olcott. It also will include presentations by Claude Probst, European Commission Air Transport advisor; George Paulson, Eurocontrol director of safety, airspace, airports & information services; and Georges Rebender, JAA director of operations.

LABACE2003 Photos and Presentations Now Online
Session presentations and photos from the First Annual Latin American Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (LABACE2003), held March 13 to 15 in São Paulo, Brazil, are now available online at www.labace.org. LABACE, jointly sponsored by NBAA and the Associação Brasileira de Aviação Geral (ABAG), is the only Latin American event of its kind to focus exclusively on business aviation. LABACE2003 surpassed expectations by registering 2,876 Attendees and featuring 88 Exhibiting Companies and 16 aircraft on Static Display. "NBAA was honored to partner with ABAG to produce an outstanding informational program and showcase for business aviation," said NBAA President Jack Olcott.

New Orleans Lakefront Airport Privatization Comment Period Extended; Public Meeting Set
Updated March 18, 2003
On March 18, 2003, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published a notice in the Federal Register extending the comment period on the proposed privatization of New Orleans Lakefront Airport (NEW) to May 23, 2003. A public meeting also has been scheduled for May 10 in the airport's Administration Building. Review the Notice as it appeared in the Federal Register (PDF, 44 KB)

NBAA Publishes DRVSM Guidance In Response To Member Queries
Updated March 17, 2003
NBAA continues to receive questions and comments from Members regarding Domestic Reduced Vertical Separation Minima (DRVSM). In response, the Association has created two documents to provide more information: (1) an RVSM timeline that explains the history of RVSM since its inception in March 1997 and (2) an issues paper that outlines NBAA's responses to the most common Member questions and concerns about DRVSM. NBAA expects that the final rule on DRVSM will be published in late June 2003 and that it will call for implementation of DRVSM in January 2005 from FL 290-410 inclusive.

Travel$ense Release 3.64 Update
March 16, 2003
This update adapts to airline reservation system changes that eased fare restrictions due to concerns about impending military action. This new pricing scheme could prevent Travel$ense from obtaining the full Y/economy fare for some trips. This Travel$ense update also includes a Travel$ense Report Export feature. All Travel$ense reports can now be saved in HTML, RTF and PDF formats, making it easy to share reports via e-mail or work with reports in Microsoft Office applications.

Standard Industry Fare Level (SIFL) Rates for the First Half of Calendar Year 2003
March 5, 2003
The U.S. Department of Transportation recently revised SIFL rates for the six-month period from January 1, 2003, to June 30, 2003.