Join ARSA Ask ARSA Pay ARSA

FAA, Industry Meet On Drug/Alcohol Rule Guidance

On July 12, 2006 the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) hosted representatives from key industry organizations, including ARSA, to discuss aspects of the new drug and alcohol testing (D&A) rule as it applies in the maintenance environment.

The meeting’s main focus was on yet-to-be-distributed guidance material. The agency said that guidance for the rule was nearly complete and indicated it would be released in the coming weeks.

Guidance will be issued to FAA airworthiness and drug abatement inspectors as well as to industry. Agency officials said the guidance will focus on the definitions of maintenance and preventive maintenance in the Federal Aviation Regulations and on case-by-case determinations to advise whether the D&A rules apply to specific employees or subcontractors.

FAA officials said the guidance would offer some specific examples that will help industry determine whether a certain person is performing maintenance or preventive maintenance and therefore, under the new rules, must be tested.

On July 14, 2006 ARSA sent a Regulatory Update via email to its members providing a detailed review of the meeting. ARSA members who did not receive the Update should contact arsa@arsa.org.

It is clear that much confusion remains as to who is expected to comply with the new rule. ARSA will keep its members updated.

For more information/background on the drug & alcohol rule, click here.



More from ARSA

AMT Day – Celebrate Charlie

Charles Taylor, the Wright Brothers’ mechanic and father of aviation maintenance, was born on May 24, 1868. Now – 157 years later – we celebrate him through continued commitment to…Read More

SBA Pushes DOT on ARSA OpSpecs Recommendation

On May 5, the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy submitted comments to the Department of Transportation’s regulatory reform request for information. The comments compiled small business issues from…Read More

White House Directs Technical Career Strategy Development

On April 23, the White House issued an executive order supporting efforts to boost the U.S.’s skilled employee pipeline. The order directs government agencies to examine current federal programs and…Read More

Championing the Industry at MRO Americas

On stage and behind the scenes at the Georgia World Congress Center, ARSA leaned into the 2025 MRO Americas convention theme: Shaping the future of aviation maintenance. Brett Levanto, association…Read More

Weston Award Recognizes Crowley’s Commitment to Learning

On March 20, ARSA recognized Jerry Crowley with its Leo Weston Award for Excellence in Government Service. Crowley is a long time FAA aviation safety inspector who was a professional…Read More
ARSA