NATA Partners with Experts at Keller Giles Group to Assist with SMS Implementation Services

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NATA has announced a partnership with well-known, professional subject matter experts at the Keller Giles Group Inc. (KGG) to address tactical and strategic regulatory issues specifically related to individual businesses. 

KGG is led by President and CEO Stefan R. Keller and COO Carol E. Giles with a team representing decades of experience in a broad scope of aviation disciplines, including FAA, flight operations, certification, safety management systems (SMS), and repair stations. Their mission is to match the right expert with clients to find the best solution.

“Through this arrangement, NATA is connecting our members with trusted, strategic partners like KGG who will provide services to help both NATA members and the Association more effectively and efficiently achieve their missions – a winning combination,” stated NATA President and CEO Curt Castagna.

“KGG are specialists in safety management, bringing extensive knowledge and experience in designing, implementing, and improving safety systems. They understand industry best practices and regulatory requirements, and can apply this expertise to a business’s specific needs,” stated NATA COO Keith DeBerry. 

KGG’s first-hand technical aviation industry guidance and expertise addresses regulatory matters including:

  • Certification

  • Certificate Consolidations and Approvals

  • Engineering

  • Operations

  • Inspections

  • SMS

  • Unmanned Aircraft

“If Carol Giles’ name sounds familiar, it is with good reason. Carol has been a long-time partner with and contributor to NATA as an author of several Aviation Business Journal articles, speaker at NATA events, and past liaison for the Association’s Maintenance Committee. During her time at the Association, NATA members experienced major wins regarding several part 145 and part 135 long-time concerns, and we look forward to building on her success with Stefan and the KGG team,” added DeBerry. 

Under Giles’ leadership, the NATA Maintenance Committee developed the Part 135 Conformity Inspection Checklist for the FAA, which in turn became the Advisory Circular (AC), providing information on placing Part 135 commuter and on-demand operations aircraft into service. 

Companies interested in seeking consulting services through KGG should complete this form.

Companies interested in becoming a NATA service partner should contact NATA COO Keith DeBerry at kdeberry@nata.aero

NATA Clarifies Points on the Commercial Sale of Unleaded Aviation Fuels

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Recent media articles have disregarded key points outlined in NATA’s latest white paper and mischaracterized its intent. The goal of Factors Affecting the Commercial Sale of Emerging Unleaded Aviation Fuels is to educate both aviation and community stakeholders on the dynamics of the commercial availability of unleaded avgas, including considerations on the status of UL fuels, paths to authorization, and safety concerns such as materials compatibility and misfueling.

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NATA Statement on Bipartisan, Bicameral FAA Reauthorization Bill

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NATA (National Air Transportation Association) issued the following statement on the bipartisan, bicameral FAA Reauthorization bill text released Monday by the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee and the U.S. House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.  

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SMS Rule Expanded to include Part 135, NATA Providing Educational Resources

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NATA (National Air Transportation Association) issued a statement on the final FAA rule requiring the implementation of Safety Management Systems (SMS) by on-demand air carriers operating under part 135. The SMS Rule is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on April 26, 2024. Affected operators will have 36 months from the effective date of the rule to implement an SMS.

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NATA Promotes Alexandra Brendel to Associate Vice President

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NATA (National Air Transportation Association) is pleased to announce that Alexandra Brendel has been promoted to Associate Vice President of Member Services and Engagement. In this role, Brendel will lead NATA’s strategic direction of member recruitment, retention, and benefits, while growing initiatives that inspire and shape the next generation of aviation professionals. 

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NATA Statement on FAA’s Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances Rulemaking Committee Recommendations

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“NATA appreciates this collaborative effort to unite the aviation industry across all segments to address this vital issue. Many industry leaders’ voices and views were heard from across the globe in developing this comprehensive set of recommendations. As we continue to analyze the data and educate our members, we look forward to enhancing the environment for our workforce by removing barriers and improving trust to keep our skies safe,” said Suz Viljoen, NATA’s Education Success Manager and Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances Rulemaking Committee Representative.

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Aviation-Labor Coalition Warns of Harm from Tax Proposals Targeting Business Aviation

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A diverse coalition of aviation and labor organizations joined in opposing proposals in the Biden Administration's fiscal year 2025 budget and regulatory changes that single out business aviation. The groups’ March 14 letter was sent to U.S. Senate Committee on Finance Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-ID), and U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith (R-8-MO) and Ranking Member Richard Neal (D-1-MA).

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NATA Congratulates the Martin Hiller Family and Hill Aircraft on Strategic Partnership

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NATA (National Air Transportation Association) congratulates Martin Hiller and Guy Hill, Jr., following the announcement that the Hiller Family is now an equity partner in Atlanta-based FBO Hill Aircraft. Martin (Marty) Hiller served as NATA’s President and CEO from 2016-18, after six years on the Association’s Board of Directors with one year of service as Board Chair. Guy Hill served two terms on the NATA Board of Directors, from 2014-2020.

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NATA Statement on Senate Commerce Committee’s Passage of S. 1939, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2023

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NATA applauds the Senate Commerce Committee’s passage of S. 1939, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2023, and thanks Chair Maria Cantwell (D, WA), Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R, TX), Aviation Subcommittee Chair Tammy Duckworth (D, IL) and Ranking Member Jerry Moran (R, KS) for their bipartisan leadership to secure a stronger, more efficient Federal Aviation Agency and protect the safety and success of aviation businesses.

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NATA’s Jenny Ann Urban Named to DOT Supply Chain Task Force

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NATA’s Managing Director of Air Charter and Maintenance Jenny Ann Urban has been designated as primary NATA representative on the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Aerospace Supply Chain Resiliency (ASCR) Task Force. NATA COO Keith DeBerry will continue to serve as alternate.

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NATA Names Jenny Ann Urban Managing Director of Air Charter and Maintenance, Thanks Ken Thompson for Service to the Association and Industry

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NATA Names Jenny Ann Urban Managing Director of Air Charter and Maintenance, Thanks Ken Thompson for Service to the Association and Industry

Jenny Ann Urban has joined the NATA (National Air Transportation Association) team as Managing Director of Air Charter and Maintenance. In this role, Urban monitors executive branch agency activities and serves as the team liaison to NATA’s Air Charter and Maintenance Committees. She also represents the association at industry and government meetings, hearings, and events, as well as plays a crucial role in advancing NATA’s mission and advocacy efforts through industry engagement, project management, and stakeholder collaboration.

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NATA Names Juliet Jordan Managing Director of Industry Affairs and Innovation

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Juliet Jordan has joined the NATA (National Air Transportation Association) team as Managing Director of Industry Affairs and Innovation. In this role, Jordan monitors executive branch agency activities and serves as the team liaison to NATA’s Airport Business, Environment, and AAM Committees.

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NATA Promotes Berry to Vice President of Education and Safety

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NATA has announced a key leadership change with the promotion of Steve Berry to Vice President of Education and Safety. In his new role as Vice President, Berry leads the strategic vision for and oversight of NATA's education and safety initiatives, including the Safety 1st Training Center and Safety 1st onSITE.

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Safety 1st Training Center Customizable for All Aviation Businesses – Go Rentals Implements Program

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Go Rentals is the first rental car company to implement a customized safety training program under the NATA Safety 1st Training Center. The program provides foundational airport ramp safety and security training while enhancing the collaboration between Go Rental employees and ramp personnel. The customized training program includes essential knowledge on airport movement operations, such as understanding traffic patterns, right-of-way rules, and airport signs and markings.

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NATA and NBAA Welcome Decision from Treasury on Sustainable Aviation Fuel Tax Credit

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The U.S. Department of the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have released guidance on the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Credit established by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The guidance identifies eligible models for measuring lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions reduction, which will be used to qualify for and calculate the tax credit. The U.S. Department of Energy announced plans to develop a modified version of its Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Transportation (GREET) model that would be eligible, as well.

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Malone AirCharter CEO Cristine Kirk Selected as NATA Board Vice Chair

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Malone AirCharter CEO Cristine Kirk Selected as NATA Board Vice Chair

Today, the NATA (National Air Transportation Association) board of directors named Cristine Kirk, CEO of Malone AirCharter, Inc., as its Vice Chair. Kirk was elected to serve on the NATA Board in June 2023.  Kirk joined Malone AirCharter in 2010 as Staff Accountant and was promoted to Chief Financial Officer (CFO) after just five years. In her role as CFO, Kirk spent the next six years on the company’s strategic leadership team focusing on safety, customer service, and growth. In 2021, Kirk purchased Malone Air Charter, continuing to run the company in the same family-owned tradition of its founding in 2002. 

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GA Stakeholders Urge Passage of Long-Term FAA Reauthorization Bill

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Several general aviation (GA) groups today advised Congress that continued short-term extensions of authorization for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) would “challenge the certainty that industry and the FAA depend on to enable long-term planning and investment in many critical areas required to ensure the safety of the NAS and America’s global leadership in aviation.”

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