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.

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