WASHINGTON – On Jan. 29, the Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA) asked the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to clarify when the new owner of a repair station can apply for an amended versus a new certificate.
The change to the repair station rule, which became effective Nov.10, 2014, revised Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) section 145.57(b). That section states the new owner of repair station assets “…must apply for an amended or new certificate in accordance with § 145.51.” (Emphasis added.)
The addition of the words “or new” was not even mentioned in the notice of proposed rulemaking, but the FAA reasoning is that “[t]he revision clarifies that a new owner will need to apply for a new certificate only if the new owner chooses to operate as a repair station.”
The unnecessary change has resulted in confusion, rather than clarity. While ARSA recognizes that a repair station certificate cannot be transferred, amending one takes fewer resources for both industry and agency. Considering the current waiting time for a new certificate can be up to two years, any uncertainty regarding the application is unacceptable.
“It should be very clear by now how much trouble can be caused by a misplaced or unnecessary word in the regulations,” said Sarah MacLeod, ARSA’s executive director. “I say that because ARSA has been making exactly that point for months: Since the new repair station rule was announced last year this association has been working to scrap every one of these ‘broken parts,’ since they offer no safety benefit to the flying public and represent immeasurable administrative burden for repair stations.”
Along with its letter, ARSA submitted suggested changes to guidance material. The association asked the agency make clear an application for a new certificate is only required where the new owner opts for a new certificate number. And even then, the processing interval should depend upon the changes the new owner makes to the location, housing, facilities, equipment and personnel.
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ARSA is the only association devoted to the unique needs of the global civil aviation maintenance industry. We are dedicated to helping our member companies run their operations more efficiently and effectively, while continuing to ensure the safety of aircraft worldwide. To learn more about our dedicated work on behalf of both industry stakeholders and the flying public, please visit ARSA.org.
