Agency announces proposal revising part 145 mandates

On May 21, the FAA released a proposed rule that would bring significant regulatory changes to repair stations operating under 14 CFR part 145.

“As with all proposed rules, it may create as many problems as it is trying to fix,” noted ARSA Executive Director Sarah MacLeod.

“ARSA notes that there are proposals for permanent housing, satellite repair stations and working for air carriers that will take study to understand their pros and cons. The new rating system and its proposal to establish capability lists must be reviewed thoroughly to ensure the agency avoids past pitfalls and has truly established an easily understandable method for knowing the type of work performed by each repair station,” stated MacLeod.

The proposal would alter several elements of part 145 to establish a new rating system for repair stations, clarify the language that requires a repair station working for an air carrier to perform work in accordance with the carrier’s maintenance instructions, and would make several changes to the certification process. It would also make many other adjustments to personnel, inspection, recordkeeping, and housing requirements while attempting to clarify several instances of confusing language in the current rules.

The latest notice of proposed rulemaking continues the process begun by the agency in 2006 to revise the requirements in part 145. After reviewing the comments to its 2006 proposal, the FAA chose to withdraw the proposal in 2009 to better address industry concerns, especially regarding the proposed ratings system and capabilities list.

If approved, the FAA would phase in the newly proposed rules over a two-year period beginning 60 days after adoption. All repair stations certificated before the new rules would have to apply for timely certification within 24 months of the new rules taking effect to maintain their certification.

ARSA will be reviewing the proposal in detail over the coming days to determine its potential impact on the aviation maintenance industry. Stay tuned for more details. Comments to the FAA’s proposal are due Aug. 20, 2012.

~~~ posted 5/21/12 ~~~

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