FAA Oversight of Repair Stations

FAA standards for foreign and domestic repair stations are the same. Just as for domestic repair stations, the FAA conducts at least one comprehensive, in-depth inspection annually for renewal of the repair station's certificate. The FAA notifies a repair station prior to an inspection to meet the repair station's security requirements, make sure the appropriate personnel are available, and allow the facility to do any needed coordination with remote work sites or contractors. The agency also notifies the appropriate U.S. embassy and the country's national aviation authority.

Using risk analysis tools, FAA inspectors identify potential safety hazards and target inspection efforts on areas of greatest risk. During the inspection, the FAA verifies that the facility and personnel are qualified to perform the maintenance functions requested by the air carrier or listed in their operations specifications. The entire inspection is done during a single visit; the size and complexity of the repair station may require several days and several inspectors to complete the work.

The United States has country-to-country Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreements with France, Germany and Ireland. These agreements eliminate duplicate efforts by the FAA and the national aviation authorities, and specify that each authority perform certification and surveillance activities on behalf of the other. The FAA audits these national aviation authorities, reviews their inspector guidance materials, inspector staffing levels and training programs, and performs joint repair station audits with the authorities’ inspectors. Under these agreements, the FAA conducts sample inspections of repair stations located in these countries. In FY 2006 the FAA performed sampling inspections at 21 percent (35) of the 165 affected repair stations.