The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) has wrapped up an energetic and engaging Air Charter Summit, gathering industry and agency stakeholders in Oklahoma City. The Summit provided a forum for discussion on timely topics and direct connections between federal agencies and the Part 135 community.

“NATA received much positive feedback from our members emphasising the quality of the information they will take back to their operations and the opportunity to interact with regulators who directly impact their ability to conduct business,” says president and CEO Curt Castagna. “We thank FAA associate administrator for aviation safety Dave Boulter, members of the FAASTeam, the FAA SMS Program Office and TSA and NTSB officials for taking the time to engage with our members and listen to their concerns.”

The Part 5 SMS rule was a key conversation thread throughout the day. In his keynote remarks, Boulter urged air charter operators to avoid overcomplicating safety management by keeping SMS appropriate to their specific operation and leveraging its benefits to have a positive, organisation-wide impact. In a later session led by NATA COO Keith DeBerry, SMS Program Office manager Suzette Rash emphasised that operators should not wait to get started in implementing a compliant SMS; even those who have a voluntary programme in place still need to perform a gap analysis to ensure they meet the requirements of the new rule. She also noted that the certificate holder has the ultimate responsibility for ensuring regulatory compliance with Part 5.

“NATA remains vigilant on key air charter issues such as SMS and proposed changes to security programmes. Ensuring the use of proper processes for addressing these topics as well as full consideration of our members' concerns will help avoid unintended consequences that could hinder their operations,” adds Castagna. “We ask that our members continue their support of our calls for regulatory and legislative input to effect meaningful change and to protect our industry from onerous regulations.”

Panelists examined industry efforts to revolutionise air travel through emerging technologies, modernise the approach to mental health and highlight the industry's impressive safety and security record.

Oklahoma state Senator Adam Pugh and Paula Kedy of the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics joined NATA's Jenny Ann Urban, Barry Lambert from Southern Sky Aviation, the FAA's Hardie DeGuzman and Bryon Palitto from Avit Flight Academy to provide perspectives on addressing pervasive workforce challenges. Teaching employees to lead while creating a culture that entices them to stay was chief among the advice shared by the panelists.

As the industry continues to be under the media microscope, Jacquie Dalton of Sparrow Executive Jets, Curt Epstein of AIN, Doug Gollan of Private Jet Card Comparisons, David Rimmer of Bliss Jet and Andrew Schmertz of Hopscotch Air provided insight on proactive approaches to relay the positive impact of business aviation, best practices for communicating the industry's sustainability achievements and preparedness for emergency response, as well as the long-term, strategic benefits of relationship building.

Urban closed out the event with a discussion on NATA's developing partnership with US Ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Roger Nyhus to explore opportunities to improve transportation links in the Caribbean. Ambassador Nyhus recently announced the establishment of the US Embassy Aviation Working Group following the UN Conference on Trade and Development global supply chain event in May. NATA will continue to participate in working group talks on US private sector solutions and initiatives to further evolve the eastern Caribbean's aviation industry and improve supply chain challenges.

In addition to the education and networking opportunities afforded by its Air Charter Summit, NATA recently announced two new partnerships to assist members with SMS development, certification services and security, as well as highlighted tools for improved operation, business success and safety.

NATA also welcomed Geoff Heck of Aero Centers, Donald Howell of Southern Sky Aviation, and Eric Legvold of Davinci Jets to its board of directors during its Annual Meeting of the Members just prior to the Summit's luncheon.

“The amount of work NATA accomplishes and the depth of impact the association achieves is in no small part due to the dedication of its board of directors, staff, committees, partners and membership at-large coalescing around our shared mission of aviation business safety and success. Thank you falls short of the gratitude we feel for this dynamic community,” concluded Castagna.