Dealing with the Government

As a repair station, dealing with the government, particularly the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is inevitable. Building a good relationship with government officials in good times will help keep the bad times at bay.

ARSA Training Resources

Click the items below to learn more…

Online Training – Building a Professional Government Relationship

On-Demand Training – Preparing for, Receiving & Responding to an LOI or NPCP

On Demand Bundles – Effective Comments and the Fourth Branch of Government

Introduce yourself/your company

The first step toward building a relationship with the FAA is to visit the local office and introduce yourself or your company to the manager, unit supervisor, inspectors, and support staff. You should also at least be aware of relevant regional and national personnel.

While created for a very sophisticated company, all repair stations may modify this government relations chart to manage scheduled interactions with government officials.

Maintain a positive image and professional relationship

There are several ways you can do this: attend FAA-sponsored events; invite the FAA to your facilities when you add a special process or equipment or when you are training employees; offer to present a class for the FAA. Communicate with the local office regularly, so it does not only hear from you when you are complaining.

Make sure all interactions are kept professional. Firstly, do not take abuse, but don’t abuse either. If tempers rise, simply take a break, and resume at a later time. Secondly, avoid meeting one-on-one with government officials. Thirdly, never promise something you either cannot or will not deliver – remember, you want to trust the FAA, but you also want the FAA to trust you.

Put everything in writing

Follow-up is key, and you should continue following up until you reach a resolution. Document phone calls and visits, keep a record of any documents the FAA reviewed during a visit, maintain reports of written correspondence, confirm receipt of electronic mail, and request a return receipt for letters by mail.

Follow up with every single visit or important oral communication in writing within 36 hours. Ensure the communication includes the meeting date and time, person(s) present by name and title, and a summary of all facts presented, issues discussed and action items assigned.

ARSA offers the following tools to ensure documentation of all engagement activities—

Audit Summary Form

Audit Activity Report Form

Non-Employee Document Request Form

Communications Tracking Log (with Instructions)

To get access to these tools, which are available for free to members, click here.