The FAA has released Flight Standards Handbook Bulletin for Airworthiness (HBAW) 06-04, “Guidance for Evaluation and Acceptance of Maintenance Human Factors Training Programs” (.pdf). The bulletin clarifies that human factors training, while recommended, is not required in the FAA regulations. The bulletin “addresses inconsistencies” between AC 145-10 (Repair Station Training Program) and FAA Order 8300.10, (Airworthiness Inspector’s Handbook) versus section 145.163. As the bulletin explains:

A recent revision to 14 CFR Part 145, § 145.163 requires that certificated repair stations must have an employee training program approved by the FAA that consists of initial and recurrent training. AC 145-10 states that a submitted training program must include human factors elements as does Order 8300.10. Until such time that human factors training becomes a part of the CFRs, human factors training is highly suggested as a part of an approved maintenance training program, but not required (emphasis added).

The HBAW was developed following a July 27 request from ARSA (.pdf) that the agency clarify the current requirements for human factors training.

The guidance will be incorporated into a new chapter of FAA Order 8300.10 in a future change, the agency said.

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