President’s Message Continued from page 5 stakeholders to comment on its call for economic regulation of FBOs. The association even criticized NATA for bringing its eleven-month campaign to your attention. As your president, I take seriously my responsibility to present the facts in a straightforward manner. NATA is not going to be the association that cries, “Wolf!” Despite claims to the contrary, AOPA’s documents speak for themselves. Its presentation compares FBOs to public utilities and requests the agency examine oversight mechanisms in other industries as possible models. That is a pure and straight- forward move toward economic regulation. While it claims to support FBOs and the free market, there is no recogni- tion of the fact that some locations require different pricing models. Among other things, the AOPA proposal requires FBOs to assume the security and safety liabilities associated with utilizing your business–without compensation. The decision to assess a facility charge, particularly when there are no purchases of fuel or services, should be yours and not imposed by law or regulation. Importantly, there are existing FAA mechanisms to address situations where an FBO or airport is violating grant assurance requirements to furnish services on a “reasonable, and not unjustly discriminatory, basis to all users thereof.” Neither NATA nor its members support those violating that important assurance, which would also represent a breach of faith with their customers. Many of you rightly ask whether I have met with Mark Baker, the President of AOPA. I have; and, while I do not believe it is appropriate to share confidential conversations or comments of others publicly, let’s simply say that, on this issue, we have significantly different positions. However, I can also attest that, on other important issues, the two associations continue their tradition of joint work toward the benefit of all general aviation. Let me close by saying, “thank you.” I have been heart- ened by your ongoing support and am gratified by your con- tinuing offers of assistance. Be assured NATA will continue to meet rhetoric with facts in support of free enterprise. NATA is–and will remain–the leading voice of aviation business. 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. 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 6 Aviation Business Journal | 2nd Quarter 2017
