FAA Issues Draft Policy on ICA Restrictions
October 12, 2011
On Oct. 6, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released a draft policy regarding the availability of instructions for continued airworthiness (ICA).
The agency outlines what it believes are inappropriate restrictive actions by design and production approval holders based on the plain language of section 21.50(b) of the regulations. The policy focuses on the relationship between the “owner/operator” and the repair station (or maintenance provider).
“This policy is certainly a major step in the FAA’s position on availability of maintenance instructions,” said ARSA Executive Director Sarah MacLeod.
ARSA will be responding with comments to the proposed policy. The Association’s comments will center on the fact that “anyone required to comply” with maintenance instructions are those persons contained in section 43.3; therefore, the relationship between the owner/operator and the maintenance provider is of less importance when it comes to restrictive practices.
~~~ posted 10/12/11 ~~~
More from ARSA
March 17-20, 2026
Event Information | Registration | Hotel
Arlington, Virginia and Washington, D.C. with Livestream Options for Online Participants
Experience the international aerospace maintenance community’s premier event. Join ARSA members…
Read More
On Jan. 20, ARSA and the Aircraft Electronics Association presented the fourth of six planned webinars – a monthly series stretching into March – explaining effective integration of a safety…
Read More
On Jan. 9, ARSA and the Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) offered resources to help improve FAA issuance of Operations Specifications paragraphs. The analysis was delivered in a letter to the…
Read More
On Dec. 17, ARSA delivered a letter to the chairman and ranking member of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure (T&I) supporting the Aviation Funding Solvency…
Read More
December 22, 2025 | Categories:
Act Now,
ARSA News & Updates,
ARSA Works,
Aviation Policy,
Drug and Alcohol,
EASA,
FAA,
Legislative,
Operations,
Press Releases,
Regulatory,
Rulemaking
Dec. 22, 2025 Update: ARSA is developing compliance matrices for tracking requirements of both 14 CFR part 120 and 49 CFR part 40 against international laws. The association is working…
Read More