Join ARSA Ask ARSA Pay ARSA

Draft Fabrication AC Needs to Wait on ICA ARC

On Aug. 1, 21 representatives of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness Aviation Rulemaking Committee requested the FAA withdraw Draft Advisory Circular 43-18A.

The group’s letter to Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety David Boulter highlighted multiple policy issues in the draft guidance on fabrication by maintenance personnel that fell under FAA tasks given to the ARAC committee considering ICA compliance and enforcement. Those issues include ARC tasks to—

(1) Propose a clear baseline standard defining ICA, recommending performance-based requirements for applicability, content, and availability as necessary to address specific areas of controversy.

(2) Address the requirement that a design approval holder must furnish or make available ICA while a maintenance provided does not.

(3) Propose the role of repair source approval and criticality of parts and repairs.

“Since the ARC recommendations are to address the information in the draft AC, the members represented below ask the FAA to withdraw it from public comment and provide any comments received to the ARC, whose final report will provide direction to the agency as part of its complete review of the issue,” the group said.

In addition to ARSA, the following aviation trade associations and private businesses joined the letter:

Aerospace Industries Association
Aircraft Electronics Association
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
Airlines for America
Cargo Airline Association
Chromalloy
Collins Aerospace
First Aviation Services
HAECO Americas
HEICO Corporation
Honeywell Aerospace
International Air Transportation Association
Modification and Replacement Parts Association
National Air Carrier Association
National Air Transportation Association
National Business Aviation Association
Pratt & Whitney
Professional Aviation Maintenance Association
Regional Airline Association
Vertical Aviation International

To read the complete letter, click here.



More from ARSA

2025 Annual Conference – Room Block Closing

March 18-21, 2025 Event Information | Registration | Sponsors | Hotel (Block Closing Soon) Arlington, Virginia and Washington, D.C. with Livestream Options Getting the most out of your participation in the Annual…Read More

ARSA Survey Invite Sent

On Feb. 21, an invitation to complete ARSA’s member survey was sent to the email address of every primary contact. The message was subjected “Invitation to Complete ARSA’s Annual Member…Read More

ARSA Helps CNBC Illustrate Career Development “Challenge”

On Feb. 14, CNBC published a 12 minute special addressing the workforce and career development challenges facing the maintenance industry. ARSA Executive Director Sarah MacLeod participated, lending a voice to…Read More

ARSA Joins Workforce Grant Application

On Feb. 5, the aviation non-profit Choose Aerospace, which administers ARSA’s annual scholarship in addition to providing a maintenance-focused curriculum for student and employee development programs, included the association on…Read More

ARSA Remembers – Hugh McElroy

Hugh McElroy, long time ARSA supporter and former board member who never stopped serving the aviation community, died on Feb. 2 after an 18 month battle with cancer. McElroy’s career…Read More
ARSA