On March 29, the FAA released a policy statement (PS-AIR-21.50-01) concerning inappropriate restrictions by design approval holders (DAH) on the use and availability on Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA).

The FAA’s final policy notes that it is inappropriate for DAH to place limitation on the use of its ICA between the product owner and the maintenance provider. Therefore, the agency states that it will not accept restrictive statements or terms in ICA documents that limit the appropriate availability or use of the ICA where the FAA has determined the ICA are acceptable for maintaining a DAH’s product with FAA-approved replacement parts, articles, or materials installed.

Examples of language that would be unacceptable under the FAA policy include:

• Requiring the owner/operator to only install DAH-produced or authorized replacement parts, articles, appliances, or materials.
• Requiring that alterations or repairs must be provided or otherwise authorized by the DAH.
• Requiring the use of only maintenance providers or other persons authorized by the DAH to implement the ICA.
• Establishing, or attempting to establish, any restriction on the owner/operator to disclose or provide the ICA to persons authorized by the FAA to implement the ICA.

~~~ posted 4/4/12 ~~~

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