NATA Participates with FAA and Industry on General Aviation Safety Roundtable

NATA’s Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel Timothy Obitts, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs John McGraw, and Chairman of the Board Curt Castagna attended the Federal Aviation Administration’s General Aviation Safety Roundtable. The Roundtable, held periodically with general aviation associations and the FAA, reviews the major safety issues of the day and what the next steps are towards ameliorating those problems. NATA is grateful to the FAA for their focus on improving safety and is pleased to be a part of the industry group that has dedicated itself to furthering the conversation on safety in the general aviation industry. Other associations in attendance were Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Experimental Aircraft Association, General Aviation Manufacturers Association, Helicopter Association International, and National Business Aviation Association. 

Particularly important to NATA is the issue of illegal operations that represent themselves as legitimate Part 135 carriers. NATA is working proactively to educate industry stakeholders and the traveling public regarding the dangers and exposure associated with illicit operations. Simultaneously, NATA is striving to elevate standards of professionalism in the air charter industry. In 2019, NATA redoubled our efforts surrounding our Illegal Charter Hotline, leading to an increase in reporting. The reports from the business aviation community repeatedly describe blatant illegal activities that have yet to be addressed. These operations not only endanger the travelling public, but undermine legitimate businesses adhering to FAA regulations.

Obitts was quoted at the Roundtable as having said, “NATA, with the assistance of its Illegal Charter Task Force, continues to work with the FAA to quantify the scope of illegal operations and further enhance channels to collect actionable data, including the launch of an industry website containing an online reporting form and other informational resources on the dangers of these illicit operations. We thank the FAA for working with us on this important safety issue. Together, we are a force for protecting the lives and livelihoods of those who rely on 135.”

Following the discussions, Obitts added, “the discussions today were an important part of making sure the general aviation industry is doing all it can to address the safety issues it is facing. Camaraderie between associations and the FAA is the best way to ensure that we find wholistic and effective solutions that make our industry safe and successful.”