Pratt & Whitney recently received a response from the FAA to an inquiry related to the D&A rule’s applicability to subcontractors performing parts fabrications under part 43.
In its letter to Pratt & Whitney (.pdf), the FAA explained that fabrication “in the context of Pratt & Whitney’s inquiry” is not considered maintenance. “Subcontractor employees who fabricate a part are not repairing anything,” the agency explained. “Rather, they are producing a part, whether that production is done under a repair station’s quality control system or under a manufacturer’s own fabrication inspection system.” Maintenance is one of the safety-sensitive functions covered by the D&A regulation; manufacturing–including producing parts–is not. The FAA expanded on this view in D&A rule guidance issued Aug. 15.
The FAA also clarified two other issues raised by Pratt & Whitney:
* Non-regulated parts brokers are not covered by the D&A regulation, and
* The D&A regulation does not apply to organizations that perform maintenance outside the U.S., even if the work is for a part 121 or part 135 air carrier.
For more information/background on the drug & alcohol rule, click here.
