TSA Turns Its Focus to Repair Stations ...

Jan. 6, 2010
... and trade association reps encourage industry firms to provide input on a recent notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). On Tuesday, the National Air Transportation Association and the Aircraft Electronics Association co-hosted a free webinar to discuss TSA’s NPRM, which would establish a new Part 1554 titled “Aircraft Repair Station Security” that would require any repair station, foreign or domestic, certificated under 14 CFR Part 145 to carry out a standard security program (SSP). According to NATA, the SSP would be required to describe: Access controls for the facility, aircraft, and/or aircraft components; Measures for identifying individuals with access to the facility, aircraft, and/or aircraft components; Procedures for challenging unauthorized individuals; Security awareness training for employees; The name of the facility’s designated security coordinator; A contingency plan; and  The means to verify employee background information. TSA wants input, they say. According to AEA vice president Ric Peri, TSA “is recognizing” the diversity of the repair station segment. Is the company on-airport or off-airport? Is it a full-service repair station or a specialist in component services, a la an avionics shop? In light of that diversity, NATA vice president Eric Byer cautions against implementing a “one size fits all” approach. He adds that TSA is seeking input from industry on the applicability of the reg on companies located at airports that only handle aircraft under 12,000 pounds – that is, should they be exempt? Another concern is that the NPRM will allow TSA to petition FAA to revoke/suspend an operating certificate, should it believe a company is a security threat. NATA’s Mike France says the association is pushing for “a layered appeals process”, one in which TSA isn’t the “sole decisionmaker”. For more information, contact www.nata.aero or www.aea.aero. Thanks for reading. jfi