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.”