ARSA’s Model Repair Station and Quality Manual (“model manual”) was completely revised to help companies develop a repair station and quality control manual that complies with Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 145 and the associated Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidance material.

The new and improved model manual addresses every paragraph of 14 CFR part 145. It contains the requirements for both a repair station manual and a quality control manual and can be customized to the particular operation with approximately 20 to 40 hours of work.

This publication is geared towards small to mid-sized companies and will prove most useful to component repair stations. Although directed at domestic repair stations, very few adjustments would be needed to show compliance with foreign repair station requirements.

Providing expert insight into the aviation industry, Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA) Managing Director and General Counsel Marshall Filler was a featured guest on the April 11, 2008 newscast from Washington, DC Fox-affiliate “Fox 5 ”.

National attention remains focused on the impact of cancelled flights by major air carriers, leaving many to wonder about safety in the skies. Mr. Filler provided a brief overview of the regulatory requirements governing the aviation industry, particularly the role of Airworthiness Directives and Service Bulletins.

These complex documents are developed by the aircraft manufacturers with the cooperation and approval of the FAA; the Service Bulletins upon which the directives are based often come out years prior to the safety directive and can be changed numerous times in the interim. They are translated to task cards for the mechanics to follow in performing the actual work. Compliance involves correction of the unsafe condition identified in the directive; therefore, complying with the intent of the directive ensures the safety of the flying public.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released its second change to Order 8130.21E, Procedures for Completion and Use of the Authorized Release Certificate, FAA Form 8130-3, Airworthiness Approval Tag. The changes affect the use of Form 8130-3 as an export airworthiness approval for class II and III products. The amended Order contains the following changes:

• Allows the issuance of an 8130-3 as export airworthiness approval for class II and III products located outside the U.S. if the FAA finds no undue burden in administering the applicable requirements;
• Allows manufacturing designated airworthiness representatives (DARs) and maintenance DARs, with certain limitations, to issue an 8130-3 for class III products at qualified accredited distributor facilities; and
  

A special hazmat training course, presented by Washington Aviation Group in conjunction with ARSA, is available for aviation professionals. This class provides the tools you need to successfully navigate the sometimes daunting regulations on hazmat.

The definition of a hazmat employer is very broad and includes practically all repair stations. Examples of hazmat include oxygen bottles, fire extinguishers, squibs and actuators from fire suppression systems, fuel system components with residual fuel, batteries, solvents/cleaners and chemical oxygen generators from passenger service units. All hazmat employers are required to have their hazmat employees trained.