A Capitol View Continued from page 7 While a huge concern, I don’t want to leave you with the impression this is the sole issue confronting avia- tion businesses. We are still working to unwind a 2012 IRS opinion that concluded that aircraft management fees are “transportation” and therefore management service providers should be assessing the 7.5 percent commer- cial ticket tax on amounts paid for those services. We are also working as part of a broad national coalition to bring certainty to investment policy by making permanent bonus depreciation and Section 179 expensing. Finally, the NATA regulatory team is working across a myriad of issues, before the FAA, the TSA, and Customs, among others, looking to bring common-sense and your real world perspective to the issues under consideration by the exec- utive branch. Our issues are not always defen- sive. Our committee members were instrumental in developing a positive agenda for the FAA reauthorization bill. In fact one agenda item, requiring the investigative arm of Congress, the Government Accountability Office, to conduct a study of diversions of non-commercial jet fuel tax revenues to the Highway Trust Fund, was just incorporated into the recently enacted surface transportation bill. We are also particularly proud of the ongoing effort by NATA and AAAE members to identify and address the issues that divide and can unite airports and their tenants. So as Tom Hendricks says, our future is bright and getting brighter by the day. As we move into what could be a watershed year in aviation, stay involved, and stay engaged. In the end, you are aviation businesses best advocates! 922 Waltham Street, Suite 101 Lexington, MA 02421-8019 781.863.1600 [email protected] www.rdixonspeas.com 55 Years Consulting to Aircraft Operators, Airports, MROs, FBOs & Manufacturers • ACSF IAS Accredited Audit Company • IAS & SMS Development Assistance • Comprehensive Safety & Compliance Audits • IS-BAO Certification • Operational Improvement • Maintenance Management • Strategic Planning • Market Studies & Forecasts • Feasibility Studies • Aircraft Suitability Analysis • Management Recruitment 8 Contact us today to arrange a consultation with our multi-state AIRPORT LAW & AVIATION SERVICES PRACTICE GROUP P: (516) 364-1095 F: (516) 364-0612 [email protected] www.mcbreenkopko.com AIRPORT & AVIATION LAW Our experienced attorneys represent FBOs, MROs, flight schools, aircraft sellers and buyers, avionics suppliers, ground handlers, as well as Part 91, Part 121, Part 125, Part 135 and Part 145 operators on a broad range of regulatory, commercial, business, and technical matters at airports throughout the U.S. and internationally. We assist clients with acquisitions and divestitures, aircraft sales transactions, negotiations with airports, insurance defense matters, Part 13 and 16 matters, corporate and commercial matters, trademark issues, litigation (including FAA, DOT, and TSA enforcement actions), bankruptcy and creditors’ rights, and government relations. Aviation Business Journal | 4th Quarter 2015
