With the Nov. 19 comment deadline for the FAA’s revision of Part 145 repair station regulations fast approaching, members of the aviation industry met with FAA officials and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) on Nov. 5 to discuss the FAA’s proposed aviation repair stations rule, and its effect on aviation businesses.

John Goodwin of the FAA’s Repair Station Branch began the meeting by giving a presentation highlighting the major proposed changes. These changes include: a new “component” rating that would absorb “radio,” “instrument,” and “accessory” ratings, eliminating the current distinction between types of components; a change to the airframe category to include three sections for Part 23 & 27, Part 25 & 29, and a catch-all for all other types of aircraft; and an expansion of engine categories to include auxiliary power units and an “other” category.

In the past two decades, the FAA has tried several times to revise Part 145 regulations. Each attempt, including the most recent in 2006, has engendered enough opposition to halt the process. While it is apparent that the FAA is attempting to simplify its rule making, it looks as though the latest attempt to address this complex issue may be heading in the same direction. Similar sentiments were expressed by Aeronautical Repair Station Association’s (ARSA) Sarah MacLeod and Aircraft Electronics Association’s (AEA) Ric Peri, both of whom gave presentations at the meeting.

“This [NPRM] has been in the works since the 1980s,” MacLeod said. “Each iteration of the proposed rule has been an improvement, but even the latest falls far short.”

Peri agreed with MacLeod and further illustrated that the FAA’s rulemaking fails to take into account the practicalities of running a repair station, particularly by underestimating the financial burden the new rules would place upon repair station operators should they be enacted.

HAI encourages members to review the NPRM and submit comments to the FAA prior to the Nov. 19 deadline. It would be appreciated if you would share those comments with HAI as well. Please contact Matt Fackner, HAI’s regulations and international affairs assistant, at 703 302-8452 or matt.fackner@rotor.com.