The FAA is nearing completion of an inspector’s handbook bulletin (HBAW) emphasizing that human factors training is not a Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR) requirement for part 145 training programs, and plans to revise Advisory Circular 145-10 to remove references to mandatory human factors training.
News of the moves came in a Sept. 12 letter to ARSA (.pdf) from Flight Standards Director Jim Ballough in response to an ARSA request sent July 27 (.pdf), in which ARSA expressed concern over language in AC 145-10 (.pdf) and a related HBAW that suggested human factors training is mandatory for FAA-certificated repair stations.
“The AC will be revised to remove the requirement that training programs must include human factors training elements,” Ballough wrote. “The change will be more in line with the requirements contained in the order.
In the interim, a handbook bulletin (HBAW) will be published for our field inspectors to clarify the human factors requirements. The HBAW should be published by September 30, 2006.”
ARSA took the step of writing the FAA after the Association received reports from some members that FAA inspectors were advising that part 145 training programs must have human factors to get agency approval.
Ballough also underscored that the agency plans to mandate human factors training for repair stations. “We will be addressing the appropriate changes to Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) section 145.163 to ensure human factors training is included,” he noted.
(NOTE: This article appeared in the Aug. 31, 2006 issue of the hotline. Not an ARSA member? Click Here to find out how to get the hotline and the many other benefits of ARSA membership.)
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