Local countries could be permitted to conduct maintenance inspections proposed under the Federal Aviation Administration's controversial plans for biannual checks on foreign repair stations.
Previous proposed FAA Reauthorisation bills by both the House and Senate have included provisions for twice-yearly inspections of foreign repair stations, plans which drew ire from the maintenance industry and the European Aviation Safety Agency.
EASA at one point warned the requirement would "contravene the confidence built into the regulatory oversight" carried out in Europe and the USA.
Even though the US Senate has included language in its recently passed FAA Reauthorisation bill requiring the biannual inspections, Flight International has learned that the intent is to allow these to be done locally.
Although the Senate bill keeps language in place requiring the inspections, it also says the examinations should be carried out "in a manner consistent with US obligations under international agreements". The FAA says it is still waiting for exchange of diplomatic notes with EASA to formalise the safety bilateral between the two agencies.
The US-based Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA) says that the Senate bill provides some flexibility for the bilateral agreements, "the House has crafted a much more workable provision that will ensure more effective FAA oversight of foreign and domestic repair stations, allow the industry to build on its outstanding safety record, and ensure the continued competitiveness of the US maintenance industry".
Specifically, ARSA explains, the House bill calls for risk-based inspections, and requires the FAA to consider inspection results from foreign civil aviation authorities operating under a maintenance agreement with the USA.
ARSA also says that the bill that has passed committee requires all Part 145 repair station employees responsible for safety sensitive maintenance on air carrier aircraft to be subject to drug and alcohol testing, consistent with the laws of the country where the repair station is located.
House sources have told Flight International that its version of the FAA Reauthorisation should be introduced on the floor in early March. Once the House passes its version, it will need to convene with the Senate to resolve differences in each chamber's reauthorisation bill in a formal conference before a final bill is approved.
Source: Flight International
