Aviation Office

Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Article

November 22, 2021

During the 2021 Florida Legislative session HB 77 was passed and signed into law as Chapter 2021-61, LOF, creating Section 330.401, F.S.. This statute requires public airports to require a diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) safety mitigation and exclusion plan for certain fixed-base operators (FBOs) and for these plans to be made available during Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) inspections.

Pursuant to Section 330.401(3), F.S., FDOT held a workgroup of public airport representatives on October 5th, 2021, to develop uniform industry standards based upon the requirements of Section 330.401(1)(b), F.S. In addition to these Statutory requirements, airports should refer to the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) Operational Best Practice (OBP) 36 when creating DEF safety mitigation and exclusion plans. Following these industry best practices will help ensure that DEF plans meet statutory requirements. OBP-36 was recently updated and can be found here: National Air Transportation Association | Preventing FSII Contamination with DEF (nata.aero).

About NATA: For more than seven decades, NATA has contributed significantly to the prosperity of aviation service companies and has been a catalyst for improvement within the aviation industry. Founded in 1940, NATA is the national association of aviation business service providers. Our mission is empowering our members to be safe and successful aviation businesses. NATA is the leading national trade association representing the business interests of general aviation service companies on legislative and regulatory matters at the federal level, while also providing education, services, and benefits to our members to help ensure their long-term economic success.

2022 FDOT Aviation Award Recipients

August 4, 2022

The 2022 FDOT Aviation Awards was announced at the 53rd Annual Florida Airports Council Conference is Orlando. The recipients were chosen for outstanding contributions to Florida Airports. The recipients include:

Aviation Professional of the Year: Nina MacPherson - North Perry Airport

Distinguished Aviation Service: Edmund Henke - Lee County Port Authority                                                                   Stephen Borowski - Valkaria Airport

Commercial Service Airport of the Year: Sarasota / Bradenton International Airport

General Aviation Airport of the Year: Vero Beach Regional Airport

Commercial Service Airport Project of the Year: Tampa International Airport - Blue Curbside Expansion Project

General Aviation Airport Project of the Year: Ocala International - Jim Taylor Field - New General Aviation Terminal.

United We Stand Specialty License Plate

May 19, 2022

As you drive around Florida you will notice a variety of Florida license plate designs. In addition to the most common standard state license plate, Florida allows drivers to select from more than 120 unique license plates. Florida has license plates for a variety of family, environmental, charitable, and other causes. If you work in the aviation industry, enjoy recreational flying, or are concerned about our national security, you may want to consider purchasing the United We Stand specialty plate. (Created by an Act of the Florida Legislature in 2002 to support Secure Airports for Florida’s Economy.) Revenue goes to FDOT to fund security-related aviation projects pursuant to Chapter 332, Florida Statutes and to provide training related to airport security and management. In 2018, security assessments were conducted at 84 airports and specific projects were funded at 25 airports as a result.

Florida Aviation Safety Fast Facts

June 28, 2022

Did you know that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) completed over 26,000 aeronautical studies for proposed potential construction in the State of Florida in 2021. That is an average of over 70 cases per day! These and other Safety Fast Facts are in the new Florida Aviation Safety Fast Facts