2018 – Edition 12 – January 4
Table of Contents
Maintaining Momentum
December’s Work
2018 in Review
Resources
Upcoming Events
Maintaining Momentum in 2019
By Brett Levanto, Vice President of Communications
Executive Director Sarah MacLeod once wrote “anything worth doing is worth doing again.” In that spirit, we remind ourselves every year that whatever we do next, it must be rooted in our past. By building on success and learning from shortcomings, we get better every time around.
As we begin 2019, ARSA invites you to see just what it did over the past year. Below, after a few updates from December – we need to stay current, after all – you’ll see the pieces that best capture the issues that mattered in 2018. Each illustrates an important moment for the industry and underscores how this association works on behalf of the maintenance community.
Each story will take you to the hotline in which it appeared. Peruse those editions and see what 2018 really meant for the men and women who keep the world safely in flight every day. Just don’t get caught looking back, the world can’t fly with us stuck in the past.
December’s Work
Annual Conference 2019 – Registration Open
Registration is officially open for ARSA’s 2019 Annual Conference.
The association’s most-loyal attendees might, right now, be wondering what happened to the Annual Repair Symposium. Don’t panic: The symposium’s regulatory content and compliance discussions will be as much a part of the event as ever.
Heard enough? Click here to register. (Registrations are accepted through the association’s new online portal, for a quick briefing on how to use the registration system refer to this month’s “AMS Update.”)
Why the new name? The annual event has grown and so too has its title. What began decades ago as the Annual Repair Symposium has evolved into a week-long event including executive branch briefings, grassroots legislative advocacy and world-class regulatory compliance and business content. Each March, ARSA’s signature event provides a venue for members and invited guests from around the world to network and discuss issues that matter to the repair station community.
It was getting harder and harder to list all of the components of the week side-by-side – though they’re still around – so the entire experience has been consolidated verbally under the very simple “Annual Conference.”
The rooms have been reserved at the Ritz-Carlton (book yours before Feb. 18) and the 2019 schedule is set (though specific details may change). See what awaits you at the conference:
Tuesday, March 12: Executive to Executive Briefings
[Registration for this day is available only to sponsors at the Platinum, Gold and Silver levels.]
Industry executives will participate in meetings with senior executive branch officials organized by ARSA. The day will conclude with an exclusive IATA briefing on the status of international market competition issues and the agreement reached with CFMI on maintenance data availability.
Wednesday, March 13: Legislative Day
After a morning of briefings and policy updates, Legislative Day participants will fan out across Capitol Hill to meet with members of Congress and committee staffers to connect the impact of the maintenance community to each state and congressional district. The day will include ARSA’s release of its Annual Global Fleet & MRO Market Assessment, produced by Oliver Wyman, as well as the presentation of the association’s Legislative Leadership Award.
Thursday, March 14: Annual Repair Symposium
As always, ARSA’s regulatory experts will lead a full day of panel discussions and presentations on regulatory and business development matters. Invited participants from the FAA, EASA, Transport Canada and ANAC Brazil will join industry members to address issues impacting the ability of maintenance providers to work and grow.
Friday, March 15: Annual Member Meeting & Breakout Sessions
During breakfast, the president of ARSA’s Board of Directors will overview the state of the association and share priorities for the coming year. Participants will then select one of two sessions to complete their conference engagement: (1) an update on ARAC’s part 145 tasking or (2) a workshop on “creating careers” in aviation maintenance.
See the full preliminary agenda, learn about sponsorship opportunities and begin planning your trip: Click here to get started.
Can You Define “Appliance”? (15 min. sessions)
On Dec. 13, the ARSA online training program released a series of three 15-minute sessions critically reading the regulations in 14 CFR. The sessions use the term “appliance,” which appears in countless places across the aviation safety rules, as the focus on this exploration.
The sessions should be viewed in order and may be purchased together for a discounted price by clicking here. Please note that since these sessions are less than an hour long, special pricing applies:
Session 1: “Appliance” Defined
This session provides participants a lesson in reading regulations with a critical eye. Many aviation terms used during the “normal” course of a day are taken for granted. Meanings and expectations are set by “tribal knowledge” rather than first-hand review. This session helps ensure each word in a aviation safety regulation is read carefully so any exceptions or conditions are understood.
Click here to register and get access for 90 days.
Session 2: “Appliance” Applied
This session provides participants information on when and how the word “appliance” is used within the design, production, operation and maintenance rules.
Click here to register and get access for 90 days.
Session 3: “Appliance” – Yes, No or Maybe
This session provides participants the opportunity to test their knowledge of whether an article is an appliance by using case studies.
Click here to register and get access for 90 days.
The association’s training program is provided through Obadal, Filler, MacLeod & Klein, P.L.C., the firm that manages ARSA. To go directly to OFM&K’s online training portal, visit potomaclaw.inreachce.com. To learn more about the association’s training program and see course availability, visit arsa.org/training.
145 Group Gets Working
On Dec. 11-12, the working group tasked by the FAA through the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC) to review and reconcile FAA repair station regulations and guidance convened for its first meeting.
ARSA Executive Director Sarah MacLeod co-chaired the session alongside Ric Peri, vice president of government and industry affairs for the Aircraft Electronics Association. The association was a staunch proponent of ARAC’s December 2017 adoption of the tasking and has spent most of 2018 awaiting the agency’s selection of working group participants. With the group, MacLeod and Peri have set a proactive timeline for producing them.
As reported to the ARAC during its full meeting on Dec. 13, the working group will comprehensively review all internal and external guidance material related to 14 CFR part 145. Based on the study, the body will recommend improvements to ensure all guidance documents:
(1) Align with the regulations as well as U.S. law and applicable executive orders.
(2) Are numbered to establish a relationship between the guidance and the applicable regulation.
(3) Consistently communicate compliance expectations to agency personnel as well as the public.
(4) Consider repair station oversight in the context of the size and work of each certificate holder.
The working group will deliver its preliminary report no later than Friday, Dec.11, 2020 – 24 months after its first meeting – and its final report no more than 12 months after that report has been accepted by the FAA. The group will have monthly conference calls/online meetings and meet face-to-face twice yearly.
In addition to ARSA and AEA, the following organizations represent the directly impacted industry segments on the working group:
| Industry segment | Organization |
| Repair stations in general | AEA, ARSA & GAMA |
| Part 121 airline WITH a part 145 | Delta TechOps |
| Part 121 and 135 (10 and over) airline W/O a part 145 | United & Kalitta |
| Corporate operator using part 65 mechanics/ a limited rated repair station to perform work only on its own aircraft | Air Methods |
| Foreign repair station from a non-bilateral country | Boeing |
| Large, multi-dimensional independent repair station for | |
| (1) A “large” aircraft | ATS |
| (2) A “business—small turbine powered” aircraft | GAMA |
| Large, multi-dimensional captive repair station | Gulfstream |
| Small focused repair station(s) | |
| –Avionics shop | Green Mountain |
| –Completion center for rotorcraft | Sikorsky & Wysong |
| –Component | QAI |
| —-Independent—works on a multitude of manufacturers | Triumph |
| —-Captive—only works on its own articles (PMA manufacturer for example) | Collins Aerospace |
| –Engine only | |
| —-Turbine | P&W |
| —-Reciprocating | GAMA |
| –Propeller—captive and/or independent | GE (Dowty) |
| Unions (airline mechanics) | AMFA |
Anyone not participating in the working group should rest assured ARSA will represent the interests of all repair stations in this endeavor. The association is determined to ensure its members and other part 145 maintenance providers understand the difference between minimum standards in aviation safety regulations and best practices so appropriate business decisions can be made.
Stay tuned as the group continues working.
Welcome & Welcome Back – New & Renewing Members
ARSA’s members give the association life – its work on behalf of the maintenance community depends on the commitment of these organizations. Here’s to the companies that joined or renewed in 2018.
New Members
AAXICO Repair Services, R01
Action Aero, Inc., R03
Aeroworx, R01
Airfoil Technology, Inc., R02
AIRTOMIC, R03
Ajeton, Inc., R01
Amway Aviation dba Alticor, Inc., R02
AOG Aircraft Service Inc., R01
Arista Aviation Services, LLC, R04
Aviation Welding Technologies LLC, R02
Avsource, R01
B.V. Aviation, Inc. dba Universal Turbine Parts (UTP), R03
Buckeye Turbines, LLC, R01
Carpe Diem Training Academy, Educate
Central Washington University, Educate
Chicago Helicopter Experience, R01
Citadel Completions, LLC, R04
Consolidated Turbine Specialists, LLC, R03
Corporate Air Parts Inc. dba CAPS Aviation, R03
Dr. Robert Marx, EDU
First Aviation Services, Assoc
Ford Instruments & Accessories, LLC, R01
Gardner Aviation Specialist, Inc. dba Precision Aircraft Services, R02
Global Eagle Services, LLC, R01
Hancock Enterprises Inc., R01
Helicopter Accessory Service East Inc. , R01
Honda Aircraft Company, LLC, R04
KLX Aerospace Solutions, Assoc
Mr. Richard Authement II, Military
Mx2Fly, LLC, Affil
National Flight Services, Inc., R03
Nitetrain Aviation, R01
Perkins Aircraft Windows, Inc., R02
R.T. Turbines, Inc., R01
Ravn Alaska, Assoc
Restored Aircraft Sales & Service, LLC, R01
Rotorcraft Services Group, R03
Southwest Turbine, Inc., R02
Structural Evaluation Technologies, Inc. dba SET Aero, R02
TMx Aero, LLC, R01
Wavestream Corporation, R04
Wencor, LLC, CorpWGI, Inc. dba Westfield Gage Company Overhaul and Repair, R03
Renewing Members (Member Since)
1st Choice Aerospace, Inc., R03, 2006
AAR Corp, Corp, 1985
Accessories, Inc., R01, 1995
Accurate Accessories, LLC, R01, 2002
ACSS Repair & Overhaul, R02, 2002
Advanced Composite Structures Florida, LLC, R01, 2015
AE&C Services, LLC, R02, 201
Aero Accessories & Repair, Inc., R03, 2016
AERO Component Repair, LLC, R01, 2011
Aero Design Services, Inc., Affil, 2000
Aero Endeavors LLC dba Reliable Aerostructures, R01, 2017
Aero Instruments & Avionics, Inc., R04, 1991
Aero Tech Engineering Consultants, Affil, 2016
Aero-Craft Hydraulics, Inc., R03, 1988
AeroKool Aviation Corporation, R04, 2017
Aero-Marine Technologies, Inc., R01, 2001
Aero-Mark MRO, LLC-dba Certified Aviation Services, R02, 2015
Aeronautical Technology, Inc. dba Precision Aero Technology, R03, 1993
AeroParts Manufacturing & Repair, Inc. , R04, 2016
AeroRepair Corp., R03, 2012
Aerosource, Inc.-SAFRAN, R03, 2006
Aerospace Engineering Group, S.L., R03, 2014
Aerospace Quality Research & Development 145, LLC, R01, 2006
Aerospace Testing Engineering & Certification Inc.-dba AeroTEC, Assoc, 2017
Aerospace Turbine Rotables, Inc., R04, 2011
Aerotron AirPower, Inc. dba Fokker Aerotron, R04, 1990
Aeroworx, R02, 2010
AerSale, Inc., R04, 2011
Air Shunt Instruments, Inc., R02, 1999
Air Technology Engines, Inc., R02, 2006
Air Transport Components, LLC, R04, 2015
Airborne Maintenance and Engineering Services, R06, 2010
Airbus North America, Inc., Assoc, 1995
Air-Cert, Inc., R01, 1990
Aircraft & Component Technical Services, R01, 2009
Aircraft Component Repair, Inc., R03, 1987
Aircraft Ducting Repair, Inc., R03, 2002
Aircraft Electric Motors, Inc., R04, 1984
Aircraft Inspection Services, Inc., R01, 2013
Aircraft Systems Division of Com-Jet Corp, R03, 2011
Aircraft Tooling, Inc., R02, 2004
Airforce Turbine Service, Ltd., R02, 2010
Airframe Components by Williams, Inc., R02, 2003
Airgroup Dynamics, Inc., R03, 2007
Airline Components Parts, Inc., R01, 1999
AllFlight Corp., R03, 2011
Alpha Aircraft Services of America, R01, 2012
Ameron Global Product Support, R02, 2004
Ametek Ameron, LLC dba Ameron Global Product Support, R01, 1989
Ametek MRO Florida, Inc., R03, 2007
Arkwin Industires, Inc., R03, 1994
Asko Processing, Inc., R04, 1996
Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Assoc, 200
ATP USA, Inc, R01, 2017
Auburn Aerospace, Inc., Affil, 2001
Austin Aerotech Repair Services, Inc., R01, 2012
Av8 MRO, LLC, R01, 2014
Aviation Avionics & Instruments, Inc., R03, 2012
Aviation Component Solutions, Assoc, 2005
Aviation Instruments Repair Specialists, R03, 1994
Aviation Propellers, Inc., R02, 2011
Aviation Repair Resources, Inc. (ARR), R02, 2009
Aviation Repair Solutions, Inc., R02, 2006
Aviation Safety Products, Inc., R01, 2013
AvidAir Helicopter Supply, Inc., R01, 2011
Avocet Aviation Services, LLC, R02, 2014
Barfield Precision Electronics, LLC, R04, 1996
BBA Aviation, Corp, 2013
Bemidji Aviation Services, Inc., R04, 2017
Berkley International, Inc., R01, 2007
Brothers Aviation Maintenance Services, Inc., R01, 2010
C J Aviation, Inc., R01, 2017
C&S Propeller, LLC, R01, 2016
Calvin Taff Electronics, Inc., R01, 2003
Camtronics, LLC , R03, 2012
Cargo Systems, Inc., R01, 1999
Carpe Diem Aviation Services of Missouri, Inc., R02, 2012
Carpe Diem Aviation Technical Services of Missouri, Inc., R02, 2012
Central Cylinder Services, Inc., R01, 1985
Cobalt Aero Services, R01, 2012
Columbia Helicopters, Inc., R05, 1998
Commercial Aircraft Interiors, LLC, R03, 2010
Commercial Jet, Inc., R04, 2010
Component Repair Technologies, Inc., R05, 1995
Continental Aircraft Support, Inc., R03, 2004
CorpAir Supply Company, Inc. dba AVMATS Component , R02, 2001
Corporate Service Supply & Manufacturing, R01, 2016
Critical Care Mediflight Inc., Assoc, 2017
Cross-Check Aviation, R02, 2003
Curtiss Wright Controls, Inc., R03, 2012
Dan Brauhn-Indian Hills Community College, Edu, 2015
Dassault Falcon Jet, Assoc, 1999
Dassault Falcon Jet do Brasil, R002, 2010
Dassault Falcon Jet-Wilmington Corp., R05, 2002
Delta TechOps, Corp, 2002
E.U.A. Air Support, Inc., R01, 2003
Eagle Creek Aviation Services, R04, 2016
Eastern Airlines Technic Co., Ltd., R04, 2017
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, R01, 2012
EMC Aerospace Inc. dba Velocity Aerospace-NMB, Inc, R03, 2010
Empire Airlines, Inc. dba Empire Aerospace, R03, 2002
Erickson Incorporated dba Erickson Air-Crane, R05, 1997
ETI, Inc., R02, 1999
EuroTec Vertical Flight Solutions, LLC, R02, 2004
Exotic Metals Forming Co., LLC, Assoc, 2004
EXTEX Engineered Products- A Kaman Company, Assoc, 2002
F&E Aircraft Maintenence (Miami) L.L.C dba Global Maintenance Technologies dba FEAM, R05, 2012
Falcon Crest Accessories, R02, 2013
Federal Express Corporation, Assoc, 2000
Fieldtech Avionics & Instruments, Inc., R03, 2016
Fire-Tec Aero Systems, LLC, R02, 2013
First Aviation Services, Inc., Assoc, 2014
First Class Air Repair, R02, 2016
Fleet Support Services, Inc., R01, 2013
Flight Deck Specialists, Inc., R01, 2002
Florida Jet Center, Inc., R02, 2013
Fortner Accessory Service Corp., R01, 2002
Gables Engineering, Inc., Assoc, 1995
General MRO Aerospace, Inc., R03, 2015
Global Parts Aero Services, R01, 2012
Gulf Aerospace, Inc., R02, 2005
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, Corp, 1999
Gyro Specialist, Inc., R01, 2011
Gyros Unlimited dba North Bay Aviation, R03, 2011
HAECO Americas, Corp, 2000
HarcoSemco, R04, 1998
Harman’s Repair Station, Inc., R01, 2012
Helicopter Accessory Service East Inc., R01, 43101
Helicopter Services of Nevada LLC, R01, 2005
HIECO Aerospace Corporation, Corp, 1992
Honda Aircraft Company, LLC, R04, 2018
Honeywell International, Inc.- Phoenix, Corp, 1996
Hot Section Technologies, Inc., R01, 2017
IAR Technical Services LLC, R03, 2017
IBM Flight Operations, Assoc, 1997
Ikhana Aircraft Services, R04, 2003
INAir Aviation Services Company, R02, 2003
Inflatables International, Inc., R01, 2002
Innodyne Systems, R02, 2012
International Turbine Industries, LLC, R02, 2010
Intrepid Aerospace, Inc., R02, 2016
JAS Services/Team J.A.S., R01, 2004
JET Aircraft Maintenance, Inc., R04, 1997
Jet Aviation Specialists, Inc., R03, 1999
JetRight Aviation Maintenance, R02, 2015
John Hanson, Sr./ Aerocerts Quality Assurance, Affil, 2006
Jordan Propeller Service, Inc., R02, 2002
Kellstrom Repair Services, Inc., R02, 2016
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines-Engineering & Maintenance, Assoc, 2010
R.J. Walch Company, Inc., R04, 1985
Liebherr-Aeropsace Saline, Inc., R04, 2006
Linear Motion LLC dba Thomson Aerospace & Defense, R01, 2010
LiveTV/Thales Avionics, Inc., R05, 2006
Lone Mountain Aircraft, R01, 2017
Lufthansa Technik AG, Corp, 2001
Lynden Air Cargo, LLC, Assoc, 2000
Marvel-Schebler Aircraft Carburetors, LLC, R02, 2011
Master Air Parts, Inc., R01, 2013
Miami Aircraft Structures, Inc., R01, 2003
Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics, R04, 1998
Midway Aerospace, R02, 2004
Midwest Turbine Services, LLC, R01, 2015
Millennium International, R02, 2013
MRO Holdings, Corp, 2017
MT Texas, LLC, R03, 1990
MTI Aviation, Inc., R01, 2011
MTU Maintenance Hannover GmbH, R06, 2007
NAASCO Northeast Corporation, R02, 2002
Nampa Valley Helicopters, Inc., R02, 1993
NAS Component Maintenance, Inc., R01, 2011
Nelson Engineering Co., R02, 2013
New Image Aero Interiors-dba NIA Interiors, R01, 2017
NFF Avionics Services, Inc., R02, 2010
Ni-Cad Systems, Inc., R01, 2012
Ohlinger Industries, Inc., R04, 2006
Omnigas Systems, Inc., R01, 2001
Ozark Aeroworks, LLC, R03, 2015
Pac West Helicopter, Inc., R02, 2009
Pacific Aero Tech, LLC, R03, 1994
Pacific Aerospace, LLC, R01, 2005
Palm Beach Aircraft Propeller, Inc., R02, 2001
Papillon Airways, R03, 2011
PAS MRO, Inc., R01, 2013
Paz Aviation, Inc., R02, 2016
Performance Repair Group, R02, 2013
Peter Stonefield, Affil, 2010
Piedmont Propulsion Systems, LLC, R03, 2011
R.W. Raddatz, Inc., R02, 2004
Rapco Fleet Support, Inc., R01, 2008
Rapco, Inc., Assoc, 1990
REB Technologies Inc., dba REBTECH, R02, 2003
Regional Avionics Repair, LLC, R01, 2006
Repairtech International, Inc., R03, 1992
Rotron, Inc., dba Ametek Rotron, R02, 2016
RUAG Schweiz AG / RUAG Aviation, R05, 2013
S Tec Corporation, R02, 2016
S&T Aircraft Accessories, Inc., R01, 2003
S3 Repair Services, LLC, R02, 2010
Safran Nacelles Services Americas, R02, 2017
SAI Flight Support Company, R02, 2000
Seal Aviation, LLC, R02, 2014
SIA Engineering Company, Ltd., R05, 2019
Signature Engines, Inc., R02, 2017
Skytech Aviation, Inc., R01, 2013
SkyWest Airlines, Assoc, 2010
SONICO, Inc., R03, 1995
Soniq Aerospace, LP, R01, 2016
Southern Air Repair Corp., R01, 2016
Southern Oregon Skyways, Inc. dba Jet Center MFR, R02, 2006
Southwest Airlines, Corp, 2005
StandardAero Alliance, Inc., R05, 2010
Stein Seal Company, R02, 2017
Sunshine Aero Industries, Inc., R01, 2003
T&W Electric Service Inc., R01, 2014
Tailwind Inspection, Inc., R01, 2006
TAP Maintenance & Engineering, R06, 2008
Tarrant County College, EDU, 2017
Team Aerospace, Inc., R01, 2005
Tech-Aire Instruments, Inc., R02, 2012
Tennessee Aircraft Company, Inc., R01, 2012
Texas Air Services, Inc. dba Texas Air Repair, R02, 2003
The Aviation Group, Inc., R01, 2011
The Barden Corporation (Schaeffler Aerospace), R02, 2012
The Boeing Company, Corp, 1996
The Giles Group, Affil, 2013
The NORDAM Group, Inc.-Repair Division, Corp, 1984
The Pennsylvania State University, R01, 2016
Thomas Global Systems, LLC, R01, 2012
Timberline Helicopters, Inc., Assoc, 2013
Toledo Jet Center, LLC, R03, 2010
Trace Aviation, R02, 2017
Triumph Airborne Structures, Corp, 2003
Turbine Controls, Inc., R04, 1988
Turbine Standard, Ltd., R03, 2003
Turbines, Inc., R02, 2017
Twin Manufacturing Co., dba TWIN MRO, R04, 1993
Unicorp Systems, Inc., R03, 2003
Unipak Aviation, LLC, R02, 2003
United Technologies Corporation, Corp, 1997
Vanguard Aerospace, LLC, R01, 2016
Warner Propeller and Governor Co., LLC, R01, 2010
Windsor Airmotive Westchester Division, R04, 1995
World Class Accessory, Inc., R01, 2007
Final Documents/Your Two Cents
This list includes Federal Register publications, such as final rules, Advisory Circulars and policy statements, as well as proposed rules and policies of interest to ARSA members.
2018 in Review
Each story will take you to the hotline in which it appeared (which means readers should beware the timeliness of references and seek follow up on key issues). Peruse those editions and see what 2018 really meant for the men and women who keep the world safely in flight every day.
Leading Off
ARSA’s successful coalition building efforts bring together interests from across the aviation industry in order to get the “big machine” of Congress running in the right direction.
Where does aviation thrive? What conditions are necessary for survival? What environment and resources generate the most growth opportunities? Answering those questions is a challenge that aviation businesses, industry analysts and policy makers constantly chase.
Executive Director Sarah MacLeod puts the association’s effectiveness throughout the FAA reauthorization process in context. MacLeod urges members to commit to building on that success.
ARSA Works
June 8: ARSA Calls Out “Abdication” of ICA Authority in EASA Proposal
On May 29, ARSA submitted comments in response to EASA’s Notice of Proposed Amendment pertaining to Instructions for Continued Airworthiness. The association praised the agency’s effort, then critiqued the proposal against decades of industry frustration with regulatory treatment of maintenance data.
July 6: Report Shows Aviation Maintenance Connects U.S. Workers to Global Economy
Global trade in aviation maintenance creates jobs and business opportunities in every corner of the United States, ARSA analysis of European certificate holders shows.
September 7: Connecting on Remote Connectivity
On Aug. 7, the FAA confirmed it would finalize and publish the industry-produced draft advisory circular providing “guidance for using remote connectivity technology and tools.”
December 7: Exemption Toolkit for “Current” Maintenance Data Requirement
On Nov. 19, ARSA released a members-only toolkit providing a draft petition for exemption from 14 CFR § 145.109(d). Full background and explanation of the toolkit (and exemptions in general) is available in the edition’s “Legal Brief” (Editor’s note: The “Legal Brief” is also included in the year in review.) If you’ve read enough, click “Read More” right here and get started on your petition.
Legal Briefs
March 2: Alodine is Not a Verb
Executive Director Sarah MacLeod describes how when brand names become synonymous with a process, the result is confusion, complexity and – eventually – alternative methods of compliance to airworthiness directives.
A recent FAA legal interpretation provides a perfect example of the how untrustworthy agency guidance can be and why compliance should always start and end with the plain language of the rule or law.
August 3: Preparing for the Worst from Brexit – Part III
The third in a series on potential fallout from the UK’s departure from the EU (and how to get ready for it), this brief weighs potential regulatory options for British repair stations in the event of a “hard Brexit.” (Editor’s Note: The previous months’ installments are linked at the bottom of the piece.)
December 7: Petition for Exemption 101
Get a basic introduction to the petition process and learn how FAA-certificated repair stations can alleviate an unnecessary and duplicative regulatory burden and help ARSA press for uniform application of both design and maintenance requirements. (Then, submit your petition.)
ARSA on the Hill
March 2018 will go down as one of the most important months in the history of ARSA’s legislative program. Almost a year of hard work culminated with the introduction on March 7 of legislation originally proposed by ARSA to confront the technician shortage. Days later, ARSA members stormed Capitol Hill for the association’s 2018 Legislative Day to build support for the initiative.
July 6: ARSA Joins Broad Coalition Urging Skills Education Reform
Legislation to improve federal career technical education programs took an important step forward on June 26 with the Senate HELP Committee’s unanimous approval of its Carl Perkins Act reauthorization bill. The action was welcomed by the ARSA-supported coalition that has been pressing the Senate to move forward since the House passed its version of a Perkins bill by voice vote on June 23, 2017.
October 5: FAA Bill Enactment Huge Win for ARSA
It’s no exaggeration to say that the FAA reauthorization bill President Trump signed into law in 2018 is ARSA’s most significant achievement ever. ARSA was more visible and involved than in any past reauthorization, its members were more active and (as a result) we achieved almost of all of the industry’s policy objectives.
November 2: Move DOT and Congress to AMT Grant Program Action
ARSA, its members and allies successfully lobbied for an “historic victory” through the FAA reauthorization process. The policy work – and ARSA’s leadership of the effort – is far from complete.
Regulatory Outlook
February 2: What Does Government Shutdown Mean for Repair Stations?
Considering the state of affairs in Washington, it behooves anyone working in a regulated industry – businesses that regularly deal directly with the government – to understand how services will change whenever closures occur.
August 3: IATA-CFMI Agreement Shows Market Cooperation, Not Complete Safety Solution
On July 31, the International Air Transport Association announced an agreement with CFM International to increase engine maintenance competition. As a result, IATA has withdrawn its formal complaint filed with the Competition Directorate of the European Commission in March 2016.
September 7: Another Parts Documentation Extension
Effective Aug. 7, the FAA again explained a repair station’s authority to inspect and issue FAA Form 8130-3 with a right-side signature for new articles received without documentation required by change 6 to the U.S.-EU Maintenance Annex Guidance.
September 7: ARSA Urges SBA Review of Maintenance Manual Availability
The association filed a comment with the U.S. Small Business Administration National Ombudsman’s Office and has released a toolkit for industry members to submit independent requests for SBA review.
Getting Facetime
April 6: Symposium 2018 – All That Happened
The 2018 Executive to Executive Briefings, Legislative Day & Annual Repair Symposium kept participants busy from March 13-16. Review (or relive) everything that happened.
July 6: FAA-EASA Conference Recap – Pursuing the “Systems Approach”
Improvements in the way the agencies evaluate each other’s technical competence will happen slowly, but the regulators’ interest shows they recognize industry spends far too much obtaining redundant approvals that provide little, if any, safety value.
October 5: Hard Questions at FAA Workforce Event
At the FAA’s inaugural Aviation Workforce Symposium, ARSA joined the few strong voices for maintenance in an industry-wide effort to avoid “everyone inventing the same wheel.”
November 2: Board, Ally and Regulator Face Time
On Oct. 11, ARSA welcomed its board of directors to Washington, D.C. for an afternoon of aviation industry meetings – a series of roundtable discussions among and between association allies and FAA personnel.
Membership
May 4: Maintenance Industry Poised for Growth, Facing Technician Shortage Headwind
ARSA’s 2018 member survey, conducted during the first quarter of the year, paints a picture of a healthy and growing industry facing a major strategic threat in the form of a looming technician shortage.
June 8: AMT Day 2018 – Celebrating Charlie
Hopefully all ARSA members recognized May 24, 2018 and will follow the good example of Airborne Maintenance & Engineering Services by sharing it with the association.
November 2: AMS Update – Free Member Publications
There are a number of resources – advisory documents, compliance forms, business templates and engagement tools – that ARSA makes available free to its members (and only to its members). These publications were developed to meet the specific needs of aircraft maintenance providers…and they are all immediately available for download through the new online portal.
November 2: HAECO Americas’ Latimer Returns to ARSA Presidency
“David is the perfect example of what a committed aviation maintenance professional can achieve,” said Executive Director Sarah MacLeod. “We will use his presidency to celebrate the upward mobility available to highly-skilled individuals entering the aviation maintenance industry.”
Training
February 2: Eight ARSA Training Sessions Acceptable for IA Renewal Credit
Eight of ARSA’s on-demand training sessions have been accepted by the FAA for Inspection Authorization renewal credit under 14 CFR § 65.93. Each session is currently available for registration and immediate access.
April 6: HeliExpo Training Follow Up – Continue Your Education
From Feb. 25 to March 1, ARSA’s great regulatory minds were at HAI HELI-EXPO 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Much of what they presented is available for immediate access through the association’s online training program.
May 4: From the FAA – The Mechanic’s Creed
While the creed takes the perspective of the certificated mechanic, its call to uphold the “sacred trust” of aircraft maintenance should be heard and heeded by anyone working in the industry “knowing full well that the safety and lives of others are dependent upon [our] skill and judgment.”
August 3: Education (and Entertainment) On the Hill
There’s a lot that goes into making (or preventing) law on Capitol Hill. It takes decades to completely master the magic of Washington policymaking, but this free (and classic) three-minute video is the right place to start.
Quick Questions
February 2: Drone Maintenance Opportunity [Answered]
International regulatory regimes are trying to catch up with quickly-advancing “drone” technology, but how are these aircraft making their way into maintenance facilities? ARSA asked and 19 repair stations answered.
May 4: The Costs of ICA [Open]
The work continues to make instructions for continued airworthiness “available to any other person required…to comply with any of the terms of those instructions.” Help ARSA gather information about the costs of maintenance data (un)availability.
September 7: Using ARSA’s Online Portal [Open]
ARSA’s effort to transition to its new association management system has included plenty of lessons learned. Help refine its use of the “customer-facing” functions of the new system by sharing your own experience.
November 2: Current Maintenance Data [Open]
Repair stations can help ARSA with its ongoing effort to make sense out of the rules governing (and practices surrounding) maintenance data availability and currency. Take a minute to complete this month’s “quick question” regarding issues stemming from the requirements of 14 CFR § 145.109(d).
A Member Asked
March 2: D&A Testing Outside the United States?
What are the D&A testing implications of work performed outside the United States by a non-certificated vendor?
Are there avenues available to us to get access to the necessary ICA without having the right “authorization” from the manufacturer?
October 5: Show Us the Grant Money?
Having heard plenty about ARSA’s efforts to get the AMT grant program into the FAA reauthorization law, one member asks the $500,000 question.
AVMRO Resources
Careers in Aviation Maintenance
ARSA and its industry allies are committed to helping the maintenance community find and retain its next generation of aviation professionals. The team will be working to improve this page in order to make it a dynamic resource for the industry. You can help: Check out the page and share what you think would improve it.
See what ARSA has asked and what’s been answered and participate in the conversation about what’s going on in the aviation maintenance world.
Brexit Resource Page [Updated]
On June 23, 2016, citizens of the United Kingdom voted to withdraw from the European Union in a national referendum. This page is provided as a resource for the aviation maintenance community regarding transition negotiations between the British government and the European Commission.
ARSA strives to provide resources to educate the general public about the work of the association’s member organizations. Should you need to provide a quick reference or introductory overview to the global MRO industry, please utilize AVMRO.ARSA.org.
Industry and International News Roundup
ARSA monitors media coverage on aviation maintenance to spread the word about the valuable role repair stations play globally by providing jobs and economic opportunities, as well as through civic engagement. You can explore these stories through ARSA’s Dispatch news portal.
Industry Calendar
MRO Latin America – Cancun, Mexico – January 16-17, 2019
Aero-Engines Americas – Dallas, Texas – January 29-30, 2019
MRO Middle East – Dubai, UAE – February 11-12, 2019
HAI HELI-EXPO – Atlanta, Georgia – March 4-7, 2019
MRO Southeast Asia – Kuala Lampur – March 6-7, 2019
ARSA Annual Conference – Washington, D.C. – March 12-15, 2019
ATEC Annual Conference – Wichita, Kansas – March 17-20, 2019
the hotline is the monthly publication of the Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA), the not-for-profit international trade association for certificated repair stations. It is for the exclusive use of ARSA members and federal employees on the ARSA mailing list. For a membership application, please call 703.739.9543 or visit http://arsa.org/membership/join/. This material is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal, consulting, tax or any other type of professional advice. Law, regulations, guidance and government policies change frequently. While ARSA updates this material, we do not guarantee its accuracy. In addition, the application of this material to a particular situation is always dependent on the facts and circumstances involved. The use of this material is therefore at your own risk. All content in the hotline, except where indicated otherwise, is the property of ARSA. This content may not be reproduced, distributed or displayed, nor may derivatives or presentations be created from it in whole or in part, in any manner without the prior written consent of ARSA. ARSA grants its members a non-exclusive license to reproduce the content of the hotline. Employees of member organizations are the only parties authorized to receive a duplicate of the hotline. ARSA reserves all remaining rights and will use any means necessary to protect its intellectual property.
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