Two More Workshops Scheduled To Review A008

As Aero-News reported last month, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has released the long-awaited Operations Specification (OpSpec) A008 and related guidance regarding operational control in Part 135 charter operations.

For over a year, the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) has worked with the FAA to address the agency’s concerns with operational control in Part 135 operations. Efforts were focused on revising OpSpec A008 to meet the FAA’s requirements for operational control while allowing the Part 135 industry to continue existing business models.

NATA was successful in educating the FAA on the charter industry’s business models and mitigating many of the negative effects that A008 could have had on the Part 135 community. The association was also able to secure a 60-day implementation schedule that will allow members time to make necessary revisions to their management agreements, OpSpecs, and General Operating Manuals (GOM).

“All Part 135 operators must be diligent in the implementation of this OpSpec,” said NATA President James K. Coyne (above). “The FAA is investigating operational control violations even as A008 is being published.”

Commenting on some issues that have yet to be clarified within A008, Coyne stated, “NATA will soon send a letter to the FAA thanking them for their continued efforts on this issue and addressing a couple of issues that the association believes still warrant further consideration. It is our hope that the FAA will continue to work in good faith with the industry to resolve these remaining concerns.”

“Overall, NATA is pleased with the outcome of the year of coordinated government-industry efforts. The resulting OpSpec will require changes to many Part 135 operations, but is far less draconian than the OpSpec proposed by the FAA almost a year ago now,” said Coyne. “This OpSpec is workable for the industry, and we look forward to assisting our members with compliance.”

With the release of A008, members are strongly encouraged to attend the two remaining NATA Operational Control Workshops that were designed to help Part 135 on-demand operators comply with the A008.

These two additional Operational Control Workshops have been scheduled for January 30-31 in Newark, NJ; and in Dallas, TX on February 4-5.

NATA states the workshops will provide the regulatory guidance needed to comply with the new OpSpec while allowing for an open exchange of ideas and permitting ample opportunity for questions about the appropriateness of specific operator practices. To ensure this open dialogue, registration is open only to Part 135 certificate holders and their representatives.

Registration is available at the FMI link below. NATA members can attend a workshop for $99/person. The non-member rate is $475 for the first attendee and $99 for each additional person. Discounts are available if the operator becomes an NATA member.

“I strongly encourage all of our members to take the opportunity to participate in one of the remaining NATA Operational Control Workshops,” concluded Coyne. “With the clock ticking, it is imperative that every Part 135 certificate holder learn now how to comply in order to meet the pending March 15th deadline.”

FMI: www.nata.aero/events