Will Focus On DOT’s New Air Charter Regulations

The Air Charter Association of North America (ACANA), a nonprofit entity, will hold an open forum and Q & A session regarding the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) recently published Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for the air charter industry. At the conference, brokers, FAR Part 135/121 operators and industry stakeholders will have a rare opportunity to ask experts for clarification on the NPRM and how it will affect their businesses.

Dayton Lehman Jr., former DOT principal deputy assistant general counsel of the Aviation Enforcement Office, now-president of Capitol Business Solutions’ Aviation Group; aviation attorney Kent Jackson, founder and president of Jackson & Wade LLC; ACANA Chairman David McCown, senior vice president of Air Partner Inc.; and Brent Moldowan, ACANA president, Jeppesen business aviation sales manager, will participate in the forum.

ACANA said in a news release that the DOT’s Aviation Enforcement Office, which has responsibility for enforcing rules resulting from the proposal, drafted the NPRM. Prior to Dayton Lehman’s retirement from the agency, he played a major role in the making of the NPRM. Since leaving the agency, he’s been working with ACANA on best industry practices. Urging the industry to participate fully in the rulemaking process, Mr. Lehman, said, “The NPRM affords the industry a unique opportunity to provide the government with the information the industry deems necessary to permit expanded, licensed operations, while ensuring a proper balance between the marketplace and protecting consumers.”

Kent Jackson warns that the DOT’s NPRM offers a mixed bag of opportunities and hazards for charter brokers and operators. “The industry needs to respond to the DOT with concrete comments on the proposed rule. Without comments, the proposed disclosures could overwhelm the potential opportunities that the rule could provide,” he said.

David McCown said this is a can’t-miss conference, as the NPRM leaves the door open for additional regulations. “We know that thousands of charter brokers, operators and industry stakeholders have varying opinions and concerns about the NPRM. ACANA’s panel discussion will afford everyone the opportunity to express, hear and discuss concerns on the new regulations,” he said.

FMI: www.FlyAcana.org