ARSA Alert: Senate FAA Amendments Will Disrupt International Aviation

Help the association stand up to congressional efforts to curtail global maintenance operations.

Two recently-filed amendments to the Senate's FAA reauthorization bill will have a detrimental impact on the international aviation community, including the U.S. maintenance sector. ARSA needs your help to ensure these proposals are not adopted (read on to see how or click here now.)

On April 14, ARSA delivered a letter to Senate leadership strongly opposing the measures. The association reminded the lawmakers that the proposals would force U.S. companies, not foreign businesses, to sacrifice competitiveness and growth opportunities but provide no safety or security benefits to passengers or cargo.

The Amendments
Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) is seeking to prohibit FAA certification of new foreign repair stations:

McCaskill #3750: Prevents the FAA from certificating new repair stations in "countries [that] have repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism." While innocuous on its face, the amendment ignores the reality that the FAA cannot certificate new foreign repair stations that are unable to meet the same or equivalent safety and security standards as domestic facilities. Additionally, foreign applicants must demonstrate that their services are needed to support maintenance on U.S.-registered aircraft and components. New certificates should be based on meeting necessary regulatory requirements, not on location.

McCaskill #3751: Bans the FAA's certification of all foreign repair stations if the agency fails to complete the foreign drug and alcohol testing rule within one year and ensure pre-employment background checks are completed for foreign and domestic repair stations maintaining air carrier aircraft within 180 days. The proposal penalizes industry for a federal agency's inaction, forces the FAA to circumvent basic rulemaking procedures and violates bilateral aviation safety agreements (risking retaliation against U.S. companies holding or seeking foreign certifications from other civil aviation authorities).

Take Action
Act now to prevent Congress from hindering the U.S. aviation industry's international competitiveness without any safety or security justification.

(1) Click here to send a pre-populated message directly to both of your senators' offices.
(2) Call the Senate operator 202.224.3121, ask to be connected to your senators' offices, then tell them to reject McCaskill amendments #3750 and #3751.
(3) Stay tuned to arsa.org/faa-reauthorization for all the latest updates on the legislative process.
(4) Contact ARSA's Vice President of Legislative Affairs Daniel B. Fisher ([email protected]) to learn more about how you can support the association's efforts to protect the international aviation maintenance industry.

Aeronautical Repair Station Association
121 North Henry Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314-2903
703.739.9543 • www.arsa.org • [email protected]