2021 – Edition 4 – May 7
Table of Contents
Note: The order of material varies in hotline emails, but is always presented the same on this landing page. Readers scrolling through content on or printing this page will find it organized consistent with the table of contents.
Taking Lead
Anti-Viral Measures
ARSA Works
Legal Brief
ARSA on the Hill
Training
Membership
Resources
Industry Calendar
Taking Lead
Manual Transmission Comes Standard
By Brett Levanto, Vice President of Operations
An email subject line from ARSA Executive Director Sarah MacLeod inspired this article announcing the association’s comprehensive repair station documentation system.
MacLeod’s message delivered a complete documented compliance system to a client of ARSA’s management firm for submission to the FAA in support of a repair station certificate. The subject line “Manual Transmission” described the email’s purpose and read like a reference to a car’s stick shift.
Driving a manual transmission demands attention, knowledge and understanding of the car’s machinery. While “sticks” no longer come standard on new cars and aren’t even available on many common models, they provide an apt metaphor for the development of a company’s repair station, quality, forms and training manuals as well as supporting documentation and resources: Your hands, energy, and awareness must be directly and constantly involved to make it work.
After more than a year of intense scrutiny, ARSA has finished its overhaul of the documents available for purchase by repair station applicants and certificate holders. The association’s original Model Domestic Repair Station and Quality Manual, along with its various supplements and supporting tools, had helped countless applicants and certificate holders since its initial release in 2003. With changes in the FAA’s oversight system and years of helping members (and clients) customize the available documents, the time was right for a complete redevelopment.
The resulting compilation is a system for not only showing compliance but enabling applicants and certificate holders to continually improve efficiency and manage economic realities. In the true spirit of “manual transmission,” purchase of the comprehensive compliance system includes consultation with ARSA’s experts to help customize the documents. However, at either the “basic support” or “full customization” level, the purchaser must be hands-on and drive the process: At least 60 hours of hard work by the applicant or certificate holder is needed to fully realize the benefits. For the documents to “work” (i.e., to comply with the rules, meet business needs, and actually be followed by employees) direct involvement by the company is required.
The results of the effort can be reviewed, and members can still receive the revamped Forms Manual and forms as a free benefit by visiting arsa.org/publications.
Regardless of the options you select when purchasing an ARSA model manual, a hands-on manual transmission always comes standard.
Anti-Viral Measures
Prepare Now for New Aviation Jobs Program
To keep tabs on all of ARSA’s work related to the pandemic, visit arsa.org/anti-viral-measures.
President Biden signed the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) into law on March 11. The third major COVID relief law in a year a created a new Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection (AMJP) Program specifically for repair stations, aviation manufacturers and their suppliers.
ARSA and its allies at the General Aviation Manufacturers Association and Aerospace Industries Association, along with leading companies, worked in coalition since last summer to enact the new program into law. It allows an eligible company to designate up to a quarter of its workforce as at risk of being laid off because of pandemic-related economic disruptions. The federal government will contribute half of these employees’ compensation if the employer keeps them on payroll. The new AMJP program will be particularly valuable for repair stations that were ineligible for other pandemic relief resources.
On April 14, the Department of Transportation (DOT) announced that it had taken the first steps to implement the AMJP program. Given that once it is up and running deadlines are going to come quickly, DOT is encouraging potential applicants to start preparing now. Specifically, DOT recommends:
- Becoming familiar with all of the requirements of the program using DOT’s AMJP Program webpage.
- Applying for a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) numberif you do not already have one. A DUNS number is required to do business with the federal government, so your company may already have one. Check with your team internally to avoid duplication and future confusion.
- Registering online with the federal government’s System of Award Management (SAM) (another requirement for entities to receive federal money).
- Monitoring the AMJP program website frequently for updates, which will include Frequently Asked Questions and a link to the application system.
DOT cautions that, “obtaining a DUNS number and registering with SAM take time. Any business seeking funding under the AMJP program is strongly encouraged to begin these steps as soon as possible. These steps must be completed before submitting an application for the AMJP program.”
DOT has published a Federal Register notice describing the data that it anticipates collecting in order to implement this new program. DOT will publish more detailed instructions when the official AMJP program application process begins.
ARSA Works
What Has ARSA Done Lately
Each quarter the board of directors receives reports on the association’s activities and finances. Step into a board member’s shoes by reviewing the financial health and operations, legislative and regulatory reports highlighting advocacy on behalf of aviation maintenance providers and safety between January and March 2021.
Financial Health
The association’s finances remain healthy, with membership renewal rates consistently above eighty percent despite a full year of pandemic-related impacts on the industry. ARSA’s 2021 Annual Conference generated strong participation by key members and a net revenue for the association thanks to continued commitment of sponsors, crucial participants, and featured guests.
Regulatory Advocacy
- Published cross reference documents and basic guidance for members to review FAA-EASA MAG change 8.
- Reported EASA update to parts documentation table to add United Kingdom to the list of covered regulatory systems.
- Welcomed FAA tasking of ARAC to explore repairman certificate portability.
- Encouraged industry applications for FAA-administered Technician Workforce Grant Program (now collecting feedback from applicants).
- Re-engaged Aircraft Maintenance Division to overhaul policies for training acceptability.
Legislative and Lobbying
- American Rescue Plan Act:
- Created new $3 billion payroll support program (PSP) for repair station, aviation manufacturers and suppliers.
- Reauthorized PSP for airlines and contractors.
- Extended Paycheck Protection Program.
- Coordinated coalition letter to Transportation Secretary Buttigieg re: rapid initiation of new PSP.
- Initiated lobbying efforts to secure full FY 2022 funding for Sec. 625 grant program.
- Joined coalition letters in support of Advanced Air Mobility Coordination and Leadership Act and mobility planning grants.
- On-boarded new congressional database tool.
- Established new ARSA Legislative Action Center (sponsored by Aircraft Electric Motors).
ARSA in the News – Selected Industry Coverage
FAA accepting applications for workforce development grants
January 19, 2021 | Vertical
The Federal Aviation Administration is seeking applications for two Aviation Workforce Development Grant programs aimed at developing and inspiring a more inclusive pool of pilots and aviation maintenance technicians to join the next generation of aviation professionals.
March Brings New EASA-FAA Maintenance Annex Guidance
February 19, 2021 | Aviation Week
Repair stations under FAA and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) oversight will have updated guidance effective March 19.
Airline industry groups ask White House for official standard on vaccine passports
March 9, 2021 | NBC News
In a letter, airline industry groups urged the White House to “establish uniform guidance” on vaccine passports, which could allow travelers to disclose their testing and vaccination status.
ARSA-placed Industry Editorials
AMT Magazine | Greasy Hands & Complex Problem Solving January/February 2021 | Brett Levanto |
Every Year March 2021 | Brett Levanto |
|
Aviation Week | How Maintenance Workforce Grants Could Support Industry Recovery| February 2021 | Christian Klein |
DOM Magazine | Lawyers Ruin Everything…Except When They Don’t February 2021 | Christian Klein |
Nothing Typical March 2021 | Christian Klein & Brett Levanto |
Surveys
- Quick question re: “2021 Conference Attendance Considerations”.
- Completed 2021 Member Survey.
Events
Produced 2021 ARSA Annual Conference (March 9 – 12) live from the Ritz Carlton Pentagon City for online audience.
Meetings
The following list includes the ARSA team’s engagement with government and industry stakeholders regarding the association’s work on behalf of the international maintenance industry.
- Sarah participated in weekly meetings of FAA’s Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC) and working groups.
- Sarah participated in weekly meetings with FAA AFS personnel.
- Sarah participated in weekly meetings on the SOCAC Workforce Development task.
- Brett and Sarah coordinated numerous meetings related to ARSA’s repair station manual compilation.
- Brett attended four Veteran Internships Providing Employment Readiness (VIPER) meetings (including one with FAA Administrator Steve Dickson) and numerous Youth Access to American Jobs in Aviation Task Force
- Christian took part in multiple Runway to Recovery Coalition Meetings.
- Christian participated in numerous calls and meetings related to ARSA’s 2021 legislative agenda, aviation workforce and economic relief legislation with congressional staff, association allies and members.
- Christian and Brett participated in numerous consultation and training sessions related to new legislative advocacy tools.
- Christian participated in a LIFO coalition meeting (Jan. 13).
- Christian and Brett met with Steven Douglas (Oliver Wyman) regarding release of the annual MRO market forecast (Jan 13).
- Brett attended the Women in Aviation Advisory Board meeting (Jan 14).
- Sarah met with the Section 221 Subgroup Report to FaSTPaCE ARC and more (Jan. 19).
- Christian attended the TSA Aviation Security Advisory Committee meeting (Feb. 24) and three ASAC Insider Threat Subcommittee meetings (Jan. 26, Feb. 24, March 24).
- Marshall had two meetings with the FAA on Single Authority Release (Jan. 25-26).
- Sarah met with Robert Ruiz of the FAA on General Aviation Safety Assurance. (Feb. 2).
- Brett engaged in a discussion with Jim Sturgis of EmpowerMX Software about technology support for repair stations (Feb. 16).
- Christian and Sarah met with Sophie Ren and Geoff Jackson of the American Chamber of Commerce in China’s U.S.-China Aviation Cooperation Program (Feb. 22).
- Sarah met with Scott Fohrman of the FAA on AIR/AFS coordination (Mar 23).
- Marshall met with Ric Peri of AEA regarding EM-TEC: mobile maintenance services (Mar. 24).
- Brett and Christian met with Crystal Maguire (ATEC) and Ryan Goertzen (AAR) on the Choose Aerospace workforce development project in Chicago (Mar. 26).
- Sarah MacLeod attended a SOCAC meeting. (Mar 29)
- Christian attended the S. Chamber of Commerce Aviation Summit (March 31).
Board Administrative
Directors indicated their interest in returning to in-person meetings and host its October annual meeting in the Washington, D.C. area.
Survey – Recovery Renews Workforce Concerns
In the wake of 2020’s unprecedented economic disruptions, the aviation maintenance industry is showing signs of recovery. ARSA’s 2021 member survey illustrates cautious optimism tempered by renewed concerns about the technician shortage, which threatens to prevent companies from growing and seizing new opportunities in the next year.
One hundred sixteen U.S. companies representing 196 FAA-certificated repair stations in the United States responded to ARSA’s 2021 survey, which was conducted online in February and March 2021.
Total aggregate employment at companies responding to the survey was 22,952 workers on Jan. 1, 2020 and 19,360 workers as of Jan. 1, 2021, a 15.6 percent year-over-year drop. However, those numbers are better than the 25 percent year-over-year decline documented by ARSA last summer and 19 percent drop reported by members in October 2020. A majority of respondents (55.3 percent) expect their company’s revenues and markets to grow in 2021, with 25.2 percent expecting business activity to stay the same and just 6.8 percent anticipating contraction (roughly 12 percent were unsure what the future holds).
Without government assistance, the U.S. maintenance industry would be in much worse shape. More than half (56 percent) of respondents reported receiving forgivable Paycheck Protection Program loans, 14.6 percent received Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loans and 7.6 percent receive Air Carrier Payroll Support Program (“payroll support program” or PSP) grants. Maintenance companies received hundreds of millions of dollars in PSP support according to the U.S. Treasury Department.
With business picking up, repair stations are once again hiring. Well over half the survey respondents (59.2 percent) plan to add workers in 2021, 33 percent do not expect to change the size of their workforce and only a small sliver (1.9 percent) anticipate layoffs.
With so many companies on track to hire, the technician shortage has reemerged as a primary concern. More than half (52.5 percent) of survey respondents cited “difficulty finding/retaining technical talent” as a major strategic threat to their companies, second only to “overall economic uncertainty” (65.4 percent). Respondents reported 907 unfilled technical positions, representing 4.6 percent of the total reported Jan. 2021 workforce.
Other strategic challenges include regulatory costs/burdens (selected by 35.6 percent of respondents), inconsistent enforcement of FAA rules (27.7 percent), inconsistencies between national regulatory systems/duplicative oversight (22.8 percent), restrictions on international trade/markets (19.8 percent) and lack of access to capital for investment in facilities and equipment (5.9 percent).
The survey also highlighted the U.S. maintenance industry’s connections to both the global and local economies. More than three quarters (76.2 percent) of responding U.S. companies held at least one foreign maintenance approval in addition to their FAA repair station certificate. Those foreign approvals allow U.S. facilities to perform work on foreign aircraft and related components. On average, 31.3 percent of revenue is attributable to work under a foreign certificate, the survey found.
Repair stations also have strong connections to other businesses in their own communities. The median reported number of external vendors per respondent was 16: nine certificated and two non-certificated companies supporting maintenance activities and five companies supporting general business operations (e.g., janitorial services).
In addition to helping ensure the airworthiness of commercial and general aviation aircraft, U.S. repair stations are also essential to national security and public safety. Two thirds of respondents (66 percent) provide services to at least one government entity, with the military the largest customer (52.4 percent of respondents) followed by other federal departments or agencies (36.9 percent), state/provincial governments (21.4 percent) and local/municipal governments (14.6 percent).
While maintenance is the primary business activity of most ARSA members, aviation-related manufacturing is also an important revenue source. Close to one third of respondents (32 percent) hold FAA production approval, with 23.3 percent holding parts manufacturer approval, 15.5 percent holding a production certificate and 5.8 percent holding technical standard order authorization.
Respondents also evidence a high level of satisfaction with ARSA. On a scale of one to five, with five meaning “very satisfied”, the association received an average score of 4.58. The association’s most valuable services, according to respondents, are its regulatory compliance support (4.58 out five, with five meaning “very valuable”), access to regulatory/legislative expertise (4.53), free regulatory compliance resources (4.45), congressional advocacy (4.32), ARSA model manuals and supplements (4.16) and the Dispatch and hotline newsletters (4.14).
“Thanks to all the ARSA members who took the time to share their opinions and data in our most recent survey,” ARSA Executive Vice President Christian Klein said. “It’s been an unprecedented year for the maintenance industry, but with government assistance, our members have weathered the storm but now appear to be on a more positive economic trajectory. With the worst of the crisis behind us, ARSA looks forward to working with its members and industry partners to keep the recovery on track.”
To see the other ways ARSA uses data to help inform its work, check out ARSA’s data and advocacy page.
Final Documents/Your Two Cents
This list includes Federal Register publications, such as final rules, Advisory Circulars and policy statements, as well as proposed rules and policies of interest to ARSA members.
Legal Brief
Editor’s note: This material is provided as a service to association members for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal or professional advice and is not privileged or confidential.
Document, Document, Document … Using ARSA’s Tools
By Christian A. Klein, Executive Vice President
The expression, “document, document, document” will be heard and used many times in a maintenance provider’s career. Some will pay attention to the requirements for maintenance records, employment summaries, and other documents required by the government. Those documents are important, but equally (and sometimes more important) are communications with government officials, which are not required to be documented.
The association’s management is handled by a law firm that provides discount services to ARSA members. It is working with a company that has been trying to get an FAA approval for years. The regulations are on the client’s side, but the agency has refused to act one way or another on the application. The frustrated client asked for help in taking the issue to Capitol Hill with the hope that a congressional inquiry will move the agency.
Given that the United States has three co-equal branches of government, when it comes to getting the executive branch to do something, going to Congress or the courts (i.e., another branch of the government) should be the last resort. Ideally, an agency will follow its established decisionmaking process and approve or deny a request based on objective standards (e.g., its own regulations). If you disagree with the agency’s decision, you can appeal, first to higher authorities within the agency and then to the courts, which have the power to overturn executive branch “final orders” (and laws passed by Congress). It is called the principle of judicial review with its antecedents in Marbury vs. Madison, a famous 1803 Supreme Court case.
But in the case at the hand, the FAA has refused to either approve or deny the application, which means the client has nothing to appeal. Even with the famous quote, “justice delayed is justice denied”, the law does not provide an easy “private right of action” to get an executive agency to make a discretionary decision—justice, in the form of judicial review—comes only after the “final order” is issued.
When a problem with the executive branch is taken to Capitol Hill, the first question a good congressional staffer or member of Congress will ask is whether you have exhausted all your options at the agency. If not, have you done everything you can to convince the agency to act? That question requires the development of a briefing paper to make complex issues easy for the Hill staffer (and ultimately, the congressional representative). To develop the briefing paper, the client provided ARSA’s Communication Tracking Log that documented every contact with the agency, which was used to provide the snapshot required for Capitol Hill.
Whether you ever take an issue to Capitol Hill or the courts, recording all your contacts with government will not only help you (and the agency) with the status of key issues, it will serve as a tool for coworkers, executives, and if a final order is issued, the court system.
The communications tracking log to help guide, organize and document your government engagement is just one of the many tools ARSA makes available to its members free of charge. You can also receive:
- Advisory 2017-01: Importing Aircraft Parts for Repair Duty Free
- Government Relations Chart
- Form E100: New Article Inspection Form
- Press Release Template
- Petition for Exemption from 145.109(d) Toolkit
- Repair Station Security Compliance Checklist
- Repair Station Security Fact Sheet
- Small Business Administration Ombudsman Comment Toolkit for ICA Issues
- Working Away Advisory Original Issue
As they say, “hope for the best, but plan for the worst.” That means documenting more than maintenance and compliance activities!
To obtain any of Tools For Members, simply go to the publications page and fill out a request.
ARSA on the Hill
PACing It In
By Christian A. Klein, Executive Vice President
ARSA continues its success on Capitol Hill; over the last three years its created a new $5 million federal grant program to address the technician shortage, prevented enactment of anti-repair station legislation, helped pass a law directing the FAA to update 14 CFR part 147 and steered billions of dollars in economic relief to the aviation maintenance sector.
Success is the direct result of a heightened focus on lobbying by the ARSA team, intense engagement with allied organizations in the nation’s capital, and most importantly, increased activism by members.
Through ARSA, the aviation maintenance industry has become an important legislative force. Continuation of this success is based on the understanding that government affairs is a journey, not a destination. New relationships must constantly be built and refreshed, collateral updated to reflect changing conditions and lobbying tools added and improved.
In the spirit of constant improvement, one of the association’s goals for 2021 is to enhance an old tool: the ARSA political action committee (PAC).
ARSA PAC is separate account managed by the association that receives personal contributions from association members and distributes those resources to help elect congressional candidates who support: more efficient regulation, fair competition, and technical workforce investment.
A lot has changed in the decade since the PAC was created. Maintenance leaders now understand that FAA policies can be shaped through congressional relationships. Now is the time to recognize how a more robust PAC will result in an even more effective legislative program for the maintenance industry.
Television and moviedramas feed cynicism about money and politics by portraying public officials trading votes for campaign cash. The reality is much less exciting. Having distributed hundreds of thousands of dollars on behalf of various organizations, I’ve never once heard a member of Congress say he or she would support a bill or cast a vote because of a contribution. Money does not buy support, it elevates the industry’s visibility, creates additional opportunities to engage, and educates elected officials about the international aviation industry’s impact on the economy and small businesses.
The association’s preferred way of distributing PAC money is for members “back home” in a candidate’s state or district personally deliver a campaign contribution. That method creates an opportunity for lawmakers know the member, its impact on the local economy and workforce, which reinforces the connection among the association, industry leaders, and members of Congress.
In the same way your company deals with FAA regulations, the PAC complies with Federal Election Commission rules. One requirement is that written permission is obtained from before asking for money. An arcane rule put in place to limit the power of business trade associations like ARSA. Whether we like the rule or not, regulatory compliance is as big a priority for ARSA as it is for members.
So, to make it clear, the purpose of this article is not to ask you for money. It is to encourage you to give permission for the association to tell you more about the PAC. Giving “prior approval” is quick and easy. Go to arsa.org/legislative/about-arsa-pac and fill out a short form. Doing so in does not obligate you to contribute (PAC contributions are always voluntary). It just lets us know your interest and allows communication with you.
Once the prior approval form is completed, you will simply receive more information about ways you can support and, if you care to, become more involved in, ARSA’s political activities.
Thanks for taking a moment to provide prior approval. If you have questions about the PAC or any aspect of ARSA’s legislative program, send me a message or give me a call.
Want to Learn More About ARSA PAC? ARSA’s Political Action Committee helps elect congressional candidates who share ARSA’s commitment to better regulation and a strong aviation maintenance sector. In this critical election year, ARSA PAC has never been more important. But ARSA is prohibited from sending PAC information to members who haven’t opted in to receive it. Please take a second to give us prior approval to talk to you about ARSA PAC. Doing so in no way obligates you to support PAC. It just opens the lines of communication. Click here to give ARSA your consent today. |
Training
Make ARSA Training Work for 2021
ARSA’s online training program represents its most-valuable benefit to the aviation industry: knowledge gained through training and experience. The association’s team has turned its decades of work on behalf of aviation maintenance into more than 80 hours of on-demand content.
While sessions are available for registration at any time – ARSA member discounts available – companies can also incorporate the association’s training into their regular programs:
(1) Subscription. Make up-front, bulk purchases of training hours. The details of each subscription can be customized, including focus on specific subject areas (e.g., human factors) or options for specially-priced session access after the initial hours have been used.
(2) “Championing” a session. Guarantee a certain number of attendees for training in a particular topic that will also be made available for general registration. Variations include open registration for a live session (i.e., company personnel participate at the same time as general registrants) or a company-specific live event for which a recorded version (not including any company-specific information) is made available for on-demand registration.
(3) Tailored training. Contract ARSA’s management firm Obadal, Filler, MacLeod & Klein, P.L.C. to produce or modify training specific to your organization. The team can then re-record it (or offer it as a separate live session) for ARSA’s training program. Tailored programs are priced differently from ARSA’s hourly rate and are administered by OFM&K, which allows for a client engagement and related attorney-client privilege for all discussion.
For more information about ARSA’s training program, review the menus below. If you have questions or would like to learn more about ways to integrate ARSA training into your own program, contact Vice President of Operations Brett Levanto (brett.levanto@arsa.org).
Government employees: Contact ARSA directly for auditing opportunities.
Registration: Registration and payment may be processed directly through the training platform/course catalog (free account creation required).
Technical questions and assistance: Click here for FAQ and technical support from training platform vendor.
Refunds: No refunds are granted for ARSA training sessions. When classes are canceled, registrants can choose from future courses of equal value. If a registrant is unable to attend a live session, their registration allows access to the on-demand, recorded version of the webinar.
IA Approval: A number of ARSA training sessions have been accepted for Inspection Authorization (IA) renewal credit. These sessions are denoted on their registration page with their FAA course acceptance number (in red).
Benefits: Registration for an ARSA-provided training session includes:
- Access to the live class session on the scheduled date (if applicable).
- Unlimited access to the on-demand, recorded version of the webinar to be made available after the live session is complete (or at time of purchase, for on-demand classes).
- A copy of the presentation and all reference material with links to relevant resources and citations.
- A certificate* upon completion of the session as well as any required test material.
OFM&K Training Portal: All of ARSA's training sessions are provided through OFM&K's training portal. As the training provider of choice for ARSA and a trusted resource for the aviation community, the firm's training materials represent a vital tool for entities pursuing regulatory compliance and business success. All of the courses are administered via PotomacLaw.InreachCE.com, which is not part of ARSA's website.
Complying with Part 145 – “Soup to Nuts” (Four Hours) Instructor: Sarah MacLeod Description: Specially recorded with a hand-picked audience for interactive discussion, this session thoroughly reviews 14 CFR part 145, discusses the application of the rule and overviews some practical implications of obtaining and maintaining a repair station certificate. Pricing Note: This is a four-hour session and is $300 for members and $600 for non-members. Click here to register and get access for 90 days.
Sessions Accepted for IA Renewal Credit Eight of ARSA's on-demand training sessions have been accepted by the FAA for Inspection Authorization renewal credit under 14 CFR § 65.93. Each session is currently available for registration and immediate access:Click here to purchase all eight sessions (plus one required prerequisite) at a “bundled” discount – let ARSA take care of your IA renewal requirements this year. Click here to purchase all eight sessions (plus one required prerequisite) at a “bundled” discount.
Aircraft Parts
Audit Activism & Prophylactic Lawyering
Drug & Alcohol Testing
Human Factors
Instructions for Continued Airworthiness
Parts 21, 43, 65, 145 (and others)
Public Aircraft"Going Global" - International Regulatory Law
Grassroots Advocacy
Recordkeeping – "Finishing the Job with Proper Paperwork"
The Fourth Branch of Government (Administrative Agencies and Procedures)
Self Disclosure Programs and Practices
(1) Subscription. Make up-front, bulk purchases of training hours. The details of each subscription can be customized, including focus on specific subject areas (e.g., human factors) or options for specially-priced session access after the initial hours have been used.
(2) “Championing” a session. Guarantee a certain number of attendees for training in a particular topic that will also be made available for general registration. Variations include open registration for a live session (i.e., company personnel participate at the same time as general registrants) or a company-specific live event for which a recorded version (not including any company-specific information) is made available for on-demand registration.
(3) Tailored training. Contract ARSA's management firm Obadal, Filler, MacLeod & Klein, P.L.C. to produce or modify training specific to your organization. The team can then re-record it (or offer it as a separate live session) for ARSA’s training program. Tailored programs are priced differently from ARSA’s hourly rate and are administered by OFM&K, which allows for a client engagement and related attorney-client privilege for all discussion.
For more information about ARSA's training program, review the menus below. If you have questions or would like to learn more about ways to integrate ARSA training into your own program, contact Vice President of Operations Brett Levanto (brett.levanto@arsa.org).The association’s training program is provided through Obadal, Filler, MacLeod & Klein, P.L.C., the firm that manages ARSA. To go directly to OFM&K’s online training portal, visit potomaclaw.inreachce.com. To learn more about the association’s training program and see course availability, visit arsa.org/training.
What training do you need? Contact ARSA to let the association know and help get it developed.
On Demand – State of the Association
During the 2021 Annual Conference, ARSA Managing Director and General Counsel Marshall S. Filler updated members on the association’s goals and priorities for 2021, then welcomed special guest Ali Bahrami, FAA associate administrator for aviation safety.
Filler’s presentation and Bahrami’s visit can be accessed via the online training platform utilized by ARSA.
Click here to access the session.
Click here to review all content available from the Conference.
Registration for an ARSA-provided training session includes:
- Unlimited access for 90 days to the recording made available after the live session is complete.
- A copy of the presentation and all reference material with links to relevant resources and citations.
- A certificate upon completion of the class, as well as any test material.
The association’s training program is provided through Obadal, Filler, MacLeod & Klein, P.L.C., the firm that manages ARSA. To go directly to OFM&K’s online training portal, visit PotomacLaw.inreachce.com. To learn more about the association’s training program and see course availability, visit arsa.org/training.
Part Marking
This session outlines the basic rules for aviation part marking and identification and reviews applicable guidance as it pertains specifically to the re-identification of parts while performing maintenance. It introduces the key requirements of 14 CFR part 45, Identification and Registration Marking.
Instructors: Sarah MacLeod, Christian A. Klein & Brett Levanto
Click here to register and get access for 90 days.
Registration for an ARSA-provided training session includes:
- Unlimited access for 90 days to the recording made available after the live session is complete.
- A copy of the presentation and all reference material with links to relevant resources and citations.
- A certificate upon completion of the class, as well as any test material.
The association’s training program is provided through Obadal, Filler, MacLeod & Klein, P.L.C., the firm that manages ARSA. To go directly to OFM&K’s online training portal, visit PotomacLaw.inreachce.com. To learn more about the association’s training program and see course availability, visit arsa.org/training.
Regulatory Compliance Training
Test your knowledge of 14 CFR § 11.25, “How does the FAA issue rules?”
Click here to download the training sheet.
Membership
Easily Reduce Costs – Members Getting Members
The results of the 2021 member survey are clear: To know ARSA is to love it. Members who regard the association as a key to economic and professional success use the team as an ace in the hole for dealing with regulators. The value of ARSA’s lobbying, workforce development successes, and its education activities with other government agencies ensure long-term economic health. It is time to use ARSA’s Member Getting Member Campaign to maximize the annual investment by receiving a 100% return.
While the team was extremely pleased by the high level of member satisfaction (4.58 on a 5-point scale), success is attributable to – and dependent on – more members. And the best salesperson for membership is a trusted peer and the most credible form of advertising is word of mouth. It is likely that your company does business with at least one (and likely many) companies that would benefit from being part of ARSA.
The “Members Getting Members” process is simple, easy, quick and provides a direct return on investment (up to 100% of annual membership dues): For every new member referred by a member, the referrer earns a one-time credit of 10 percent of the new member’s dues. For example, refer a $1,800 member, and receive a $180 credit towards the company’s renewal fee.
To make the process easy, ARSA’s “Members Getting Members” page includes a draft email to use to obtain a 100% return on investment!
For more information or to share leads about prospective members, shoot a note to arsa@arsa.org.
Quick Question – ARSA Tools & Manuals
ARSA’s management firm regularly produces publications for use by industry. These advisory documents, compliance forms, business templates and engagement tools were developed to meet specific needs of aircraft maintenance providers and are available for use by members (both the free “Tools for ARSA Members” and the discounted Repair Station and Quality Manual Compilation).
Help the association to assess the value of these resources by answering this month’s “quick question.” To learn more about ARSA publications, you may click the links provided in the question or visit arsa.org/publications.
Note: The question is displayed in its own, embedded window. If the “Submit” button is not visible on the screen, you must scroll within the survey window in order to submit your response.
If the embedded survey does not appear/load, open the survey independently by visiting: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/qq-publications.
Click here to see what questions have been asked and answered…and keep a lookout for more.
For more information about this or any other question, contact Brett Levanto (brett.levanto@arsa.org).
Welcome & Welcome Back – New & Renewing Members
ARSA’s members give the association life – its work on behalf of the maintenance community depends on the commitment of these organizations. Here’s to the companies that joined or renewed in April:
New Members
Aero Hydraulics, Inc., R01
Avio Turbine Techs, LLC, R01
Crew Aviation LLC , R01
Danville Community College, EDU
Evans Composites, Inc., R03
Renewing Members
A.O.G. Reaction, Inc., R02, 1993
AEE-EMF, Inc. d.b.a. Aircraft Electrical Electronics, R01, 2009
Aircraft Specialties, Inc., R03, 2019
All Nippon Airways Company, Ltd., Assoc, 2001
Answers Aerospace Engineering LLC, R01, 2021
Asko Processing, Inc., R04, 1996
Coopesa, R.L., R06, 1996
Earp Aviation Repairs LLC, R01, 2019
EcoServices, LLC, R02, 2020
Erickson Incorporated dba Erickson Air-Crane, R05, 1997
Ford Instruments & Accessories, LLC, R01, 2018
Jet Center MFR dba Southern Oregon Skyways, R02, 2006
Helimax Aviation, Inc., R03, 2019
Lufthansa Technik AG, Corp, 2001
Metro Aviation, Inc., Assoc, 2003
Ohio State University Airport, EDU, 2020
Ohlinger Industries, Inc., R04, 2006
S.E.A.L. Aviation LLC, R03, 2014
Signature Aviation, Corp, 2013
Southern Air Repair, Corp., R01, 2016
Southwest Airlines, R06, 2005
Twin Manufacturing Co., dba TWIN MRO, R04, 1993
Wencor, LLC, Corp, 2018
WGI, Inc. dba Westfield Gage Company Overhaul and Repair, R03, 2018
Make ARSA’s Voice Your Own: Advertise
ARSA has a menu of advertising opportunities for arsa.org, the hotline and the ARSA Dispatch. Take advantage of these great opportunities today to showcase your company, a new product or event. For more information go to arsa.org/advertise.
Stand Up for ARSA
In order to provide world-class resources for its members, the association depends on the commitment of the aviation community. By sponsoring events and activities, supporters can help ARSA’s work on behalf of repair stations to endure.
Need a place to start? For information about opportunities, contact Vice President of Operations Brett Levanto (brett.levanto@arsa.org).
Resources
ARSA strives to provide resources to educate the general public about the work of the association’s member organizations; should you need to provide a quick reference or introductory overview to the global MRO industry, please utilize AVMRO.ARSA.org.
Anti-Viral Measures
For the use of its members and the larger aviation community, ARSA is maintaining this page as a resource for pandemic-related updates on policy initiatives and business needs. It is the association’s central point of communication on the topic
Resources for Dealing with the Government
As a repair station, dealing with the government, particularly the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is inevitable. Building a good relationship with government officials in good times will help keep the bad times at bay.
Industry News Roundup
ARSA monitors media coverage on aviation maintenance to spread the word about the valuable role repair stations play globally by providing jobs and economic opportunities and in civic engagement. These are some of this month’s top stories highlighting the industry’s contributions. You can explore these stories through ARSA’s Dispatch news portal.
Industry Calendar
Conference | Dates | Location |
EBACE | 5/18-20/2021 | Online |
MRO Middle East | 6/TBA/2021 | Dubai, UAE |
MRO BEER | 6/9-10/2021 | Istanbul, Turkey (Hybrid) |
World Aviation Training Summit (23rd) | 6/15-16/2021 | Orlando, FL |
AEA International Convention & Trade Show (64th) | 6/22-25/2021 | Dallas, TX (Hybrid) |
AeroEngines Americas | 6/30-7/1/2021 | Dallas, TX |
Flight School Association | 8/18-20/2021 | Orlando, FL |
MRO Asia-Pacific | 9/21-23/2021 | Singapore |
RAA 45th Annual Convention | 9/25-28/2021 | Phoenix, AZ |
Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) | 10/12-14/2021 | Las Vegas, NV |
MRO Europe | 10/19-21/2021 | Amsterdam, The Netherlands |
MARPA Annual Conference | 10/TBD/2021 | TBD |
Fall 2021 Aviation Safety InfoShare | 11/2-4/2021 | Pittsburgh, PA |
EASA-FAA International Aviation Safety Conference | TBD/2022 | TBD |
MRO Americas–MRO Latin America | TBD/2022 | Orlando, FL |
ARSA Annual Conference | 3/8-11/2022 | Washington, DC |
ABACE | 4/12-14/2022 | Shanghai |
NBAA Maintenance Conference | 5/3-5/2022 | San Antonio, TX |
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