Avionics News September 2014 - 16

F R O M
R I C
P E R I
A EA V I C E P R ES I D E N T O F G OV E R N M E N T & I N D U ST RY A F FA I RS

The Aircraft Electronics Association's international membership continues to grow. Currently, the AEA represents avionics
businesses in more than 40 countries throughout the world. To better serve the needs of the AEA's international membership,
the "International News and Regulatory Updates" section of Avionics News offers a greater focus on international regulatory
activity, international industry news and an international "Frequently Asked Questions" column to help promote standardization.
If you have comments about this section, send emails to avionicsnews@aea.net.

UNITED STATES

News & Regulatory Updates
FAA Publishes Repair Station Final Rule
In a very public win, the Federal Aviation Administration
published its final rule that dropped the changes to the repair
station rating system and retained only the authority to deny
an application for a new repair station certificate if the applicant or certain associated key individuals had materially
contributed to the circumstances that caused a previous repair station certificate revocation action.
The rule also adds a new section prohibiting fraudulent
or intentionally false entries or omissions of material facts
in any application, record or report made under the repair
station rules.
MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS:
On May 21, 2012, the FAA published a notice of proposed
rulemaking titled "Repair Stations" (77 FR 30054). In the
NPRM, the FAA proposed to amend the regulations for repair
stations by revising the system of ratings, the repair station
certification requirements and the regulations applicable to
repair stations providing maintenance for air carriers. The proposal also addressed the National Transportation Safety Board
recommendation (discussed previously) by proposing amendments that would permit the FAA to deny certain applicants
new certificates based on its enforcement history.
The FAA received more than 230 public comments to
the NPRM. The majority of the commenters, including the
Aircraft Electronics Association, had serious concerns with
the proposed changes, and many suggested withdrawing the
entire proposal.
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2014

Although the majority of the commenters recognized that
the system of ratings is outdated, there was general dissatisfaction with the proposed new system of ratings and the transition
process. Commenters also expressed concerns on the proposals for a capability list, recurring audit, letter of compliance,
permanent housing, facilities and equipment, and the FAA's
proposed authority to deny a repair station application.
As a result of the substantive comments received by the
FAA, it has withdrawn most of the changes proposed in the
NPRM.
In addition to prohibiting fraudulent or intentionally false
entries, this final rule also will make the following amendments:
* A revision to Sec. 145.55 to add a new paragraph (c)
(3) to require that a repair station outside the United
States applying for certificate renewal must show the
required fee has been paid.
* A revision to Sec. 145.57 to add a requirement in
paragraph (a)(1) that a certificate change is necessary
if the repair station certificate holder changes the name
of the repair station.
* A revision to Sec. 145.57(b), which currently requires
that if a repair station's assets are sold, the new owner
must apply for a certificate. The 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.
* Revisions to Sec. 145.153, 145.157 and 145.213 to
add the terms "appropriately" before "certificated" and
"as a mechanic or repairman" before "under Part 65"
in three instances. Under these amendments, supervisors and persons authorized to inspect and approve an
article for return to service would, at a minimum, have
to hold a certificate appropriate for the work being performed (e.g., a mechanic or a repairman certificate).

Avionics News September 2014

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Avionics News September 2014