Join Us in Albany March 20, 2012

The New York Aviation Management Association (NYAMA) is hosting an Aviation Advocacy Day in Albany on March 20, 2012. The program provides airport managers and other aviation officials with timely information on state budget issues and state funded airport development programs. It also provides a forum for constructive dialogue between colleagues and state lawmakers. All NYAMA members and aviation officials are asked to attend the advocacy program.

The program will begin with a briefing at the Hotel Albany (formerly Crowne Plaza), followed by appointments with state legislators and a legislative meeting held at the Legislative Office Building in downtown Albany. The success of the advocacy program is directly related to the level of participation we receive from the aviation industry. For more details, click here to download the Registration Brochure.

Click here for online registration and join us March 20 in Albany!

Sponsorship Opportunities

Members are encouraged to sponsor our Aviation Advocacy program. Sponsorship funds will be used to help offset the cost of the event. Please contact Michael Thompson at Association Headquarters for further information, (518) 432-9973, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

SPONSORSHIP LEVELS

• Gold $1,500
• Silver $1,000
• Bronze $500

Support New York's Aviation Industry - Click here to sponsor this year's Advocacy Day.

Join Us in Advancing Aviation, Advancing New York!

New York's aviation industry representatives warned a panel of state lawmakers this week that the critical lack of infrastructure investment, competition from other states and a sagging state and national economy continues to impact New York jobs, airports and related businesses.

NYAMA urged increased state investment in revenue producing and job creating airport projects, a reallocation of unspent airport development monies and the reform of the state's aviation tax laws.

In testimony presented at a public hearing held by members of the Assembly Transportation Committee, Joel Russell, Past President of the New York Aviation Management Association (NYAMA), expressed concerns regarding the State's adopted Two Year Capital Plan for transportation and the needs of New York's aviation sector:

Testimony

Good afternoon Chairman Gantt and Members of the Assembly Transportation Committee. I am Joel Russell, Past President of the New York Aviation Management Association (NYAMA) and Airport Manager for Albany International Airport.

NYAMA represents over 120 commercial service and general aviation airports, fixed based operators, consultants, engineers and other aviation industries and professionals who believe that serious economic development efforts at the state and regional level necessitate strong public investment in our aviation assets and facilities. NYAMA respectfully submits this testimony to be considered as you review the progress of the second year of the Department of Transportation's Two-Year Capital Program.

Airports are economic engines fueling growth in the communities they serve. According to a recently-released study by the State Department of Transportation, the aviation industry contributes over $50 billion in annual economic activity in New York State and almost 400,000 State residents work in aviation or aviation-related industries. The economic benefits of New York State airports are impressive. As a whole, aviation generates $18 billion in payroll and $4.5 billion in state and local tax revenue annually. However, the efficacy of this powerful economic engine and its benefits to New York's citizens is threatened by a critical lack of infrastructure investment, competition from other states, and a sagging state and national economy.

Joining NYAMA were New York State Senator Thomas O'Mara and Assemblyman Philip Palmesano who represent the Elmira Corning area, as well as Scott Esty, Chief of Staff for Assemblyman Christopher Friend.

NYAMA President Carl Beardsley stated, "These elected officials recognize the enormous role played by aviation, not only through creating jobs in their district but giving their region access to a global economy. We appreciate their support and their ongoing commitment to providing a regulatory environment that encourages aviation businesses to grow and prosper. Their role with the New York State Legislative Aviation Caucus has made them particularly effective in strengthening the economic role of our airports and aviation industry."

Some $50 billion is generated by aviation activities in New York State, employing nearly 400,000 New Yorkers and producing $18 billion in payroll according to a recent economic report released by New York State Department of Transportation.

Nearly 100,000 American Jobs in Jeopardy as aviation infrastructure improvements are put on hold

New York Aviation Management Association (NYAMA) President Carl Beardsley and NYAMA Secretary Teresa Rizzuto today joined with Congressmen Steve Israel and Tim Bishop today to insist that Congress return to Capitol Hill to resolve the FAA shutdown by authorizing the federal agency's federal appropriations.

At a news conference held at Islip Town's Long Island MacArthur Airport, Islip Town Supervisor Phil Nolan joined the Congressmen, NYAMA's Beardsley and Ms. Rizzuto who also serves as Commissioner of Aviation for Long Island MacArthur Airport. Together, they detailed the ongoing impact of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) shutdown on that airport and aviation facilities throughout New York.
The FAA has been shutdown since July 23, resulting in a furlough of nearly 4,000 FAA employees as well as an estimated 87,000 jobs jeopardized because of stop-work orders on aviation related capital infrastructure projects.

Additionally, it is estimated that over $1 billion may be lost to the Aviation Trust Fund should Congress continue to delay passage of the FAA Reauthorization.

"It remains incomprehensible to the aviation community, and the taxpayer, that the administrative functions of the FAA have been shut down due to partisan bickering in Washington," said Beardsley. "Aviation remains a core pillar of our nation's economy and at a time when we need every tool to restart investment and confidence in America's business community a full functioning FAA is nothing less than crucial. If the FAA shutdown doesn't end immediately it will create a cascading effect on major capital projects that will damage our aviation infrastructure for years to come."

"The data contained in this long-awaited update of the "Benefits of Aviation" study released in 2003 reveals an aviation sector that is highly resistant to recessionary pressures and a smart investment for public and private capital," said Carl Beardsley, President of the New York Aviation Management Association. "The new study finds that convenient, affordable and safe commercial and general aviation air services are vital to the State's economic strength," Beardsley reported.

The study, "New York State Economic Impacts of Aviation," funded jointly by the Federal Aviation Administration and NYS Department of Transportation, looked at 90 public-use airports across the State and the economic activity, jobs and taxes generated by the aviation sector. The evidence shows an impact greater than the level of public investment required to maintain the system in a state of good repair.

The new 2010 data shows an increase of 47,000 in aviation employment over the employment level reported in the 2003 study.

Some of the findings include:

* In 2009, aviation facilities generated $50 billion in annual economic activity for New York State businesses, equaling 4.4 percent of the total gross State product;
* Federal, state and local funding for capital improvements at airports accounts for approximately 1.2 percent of this total, most of which comes from user fees and taxes;
* Approximately 394,500 jobs in New York State are related directly or indirectly to aviation, representing 4.6 percent of the 8.5 million jobs in the State. Payroll from aviation totals more than $18 billion, or two percent of total income in the State;
* More than $4.5 billion in state and local tax revenues related to aviation were collected, roughly $4.1 percent of all 2009 state and local taxes;
* Economic impacts from aviation in New York State account for 6 percent of the nation's total aviation economic impact; and
* Fortune 500 businesses, such as IBM, Pfizer, Verizon, American Express, Time Warner, Eastman Kodak and others, are significant users of New York's aviation system and help sustain local economies. These businesses rely on commercial service and general aviation to meet their business transportation needs.

NYAMA continues to offer strategic learning opportunities with its upcoming Peer Review sessions. Please feel free to contact us by phone (518-432-9973) or email ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) with any questions about the following sessions:

Safety Management Systems Plans

NEW DATE: Tuesday, October 18 // 10:00am-2:30pm // HPN

We will discuss a variety of topics including Safety Management Systems, Foreign Object Debris Management Programs, and other pertinent FAA issues. All participants are requested to share any draft SMS plans and FOD plans with the group. This discussion will be led by Mr. Michael O'Donnell, Director of Airport Safety and Standards for the FAA. The meeting will be hosted by Mr. Steve Ferguson, Assistant Airport Manager for Westchester County Airport. The session will be held at the airport on Tuesday, October 18, 2011 from 10:00am to no later than 2:30pm. We will meet in The Avitat facility in Hanger E at HPN. Seating is limited, so please make your plans early.

Download SMS Plans Registration Flyer Here!

General Aviation Airports Rountable

POSTPONED (Date TBA) // 10:30am-2:00pm // FRG

This session is designed as an opportunity for GA Airport operators to learn together about the latest trends in the industry and to share information, ideas, and concerns.

Learn about building community support. Get updates on General Aviation issues and programs that affect your airport. Share ideas for preventative maintenance and security initiatives. And find out more about what NYAMA has done to support you and your airport!

Download GA Airports Roundtable Registration Flier Here!

FBO Roundtable

Thursday, July 28 // 10:30am-2:00pm // SWF

This session is designed as an opportunity for FBO's to learn together about the latest trends in the industry and to share information, ideas and concerns. In the morning, we will meet with Jim Coyne, President of NATA. Margaret Giugliano from McBreen and Kopko of Jericho, NY (http://www.mklawnyc.com), a leading
aviation and aerospace legal firm, will provide information about taxes that affect the FBO industry, self fueling operations and much more. Attendees will have an opportunity to share ideas about the US FBO market moving to a European market structure. Also find out what NYAMA has done to support you and your aviation business.

Download FBO Roundtable Registration Flier Here!