Comment Period Extended On Repair-Station Rule

The following information was released by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association: By Dan Namowitz The FAA has granted a 90-day extension requested by AOPA and other organizations to the public comment period on its proposal to amend the regulations governing Part 145 repair stations.

Source States News Service

Aug. 23, 2012

The following information was released by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association:

By Dan Namowitz

The FAA has granted a 90-day extension requested by AOPA and other organizations to the public comment period on its proposal to amend the regulations governing Part 145 repair stations.

Members may comment until Nov.19 on the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which would amend regulations for repair stations by revising the systems of repair station ratings, repair station certification requirements, and the regulations governing repair station providing maintenance for air carriers.

AOPA has reviewed the NPRM that was published May 21 and plans to submit formal comments expressing concern about the proposed rules adverse impact on the availability of general aviation aircraft maintenance, a lack of safety benefits, and the likely unintended consequences of the proposed changes, said Rob Hackman, AOPA vice president of regulatory affairs.

Although the FAAs stated goal is updating repair-station regulations to more accurately address current and future aircraft technology, the majority of the proposed rulemaking complicates regulations and procedures for repair stations with no clear safety benefit, he said.

AOPA believes that the FAA should strive to simplify repair station oversight rather than create confusion through costly regulations.