Seeks Greater Efficiencies And Balance For GA Certifications

The U.S. House of Representatives Transportation Committee subcommittee on aviation held a hearing Wednesday on the FAA's certification process. Subcommittee Chair Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ) (pictured) called the hearing in an effort to "find the right balance between maintaining the highest level of aviation safety while achieving greater efficiencies in FAA’s certification processes."

In his prepared opening statement, LoBiondo said that as the aviation industry develops new products and other innovations, the FAA must likewise evolve. "Examples of this creative spirit can be found throughout the industry. Many companies have worked with the FAA’s William J. Hughes Technical Center to develop and test new products that improve the safety and efficiency of the U.S. aviation system. To ensure that the hard work at the Technical Center and elsewhere in the industry is not needlessly delayed or wasted altogether, it is critical that the FAA’s certification processes keep pace. 
 
"The Aviation Subcommittee often hears concerns from companies, operators and other certificate holders related to the FAA’s certification processes," LoBiondo said. "In particular, long wait times, inconsistent regulatory interpretations, and redundant or outdated processes have all been brought to the Subcommittee’s attention.
 
"In response, Congress included two important provisions in the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 to improve the FAA’s certification processes. These provisions require the agency to develop plans to streamline their certification processes, and address regional regulatory inconsistencies—all while maintaining the highest level of safety. In response, the FAA submitted reports to the Committee that outline recommendations to improve and streamline certification, and address inconsistent regulatory interpretations.

Ranking minority member Rick Larson (D-WA) said in his opening remarks that the public relies on a skilled and dedicated FAA workforce to work with industry and ensure that new products and services are safe.

"I have seen first-hand how important FAA’s certification services are in Washington State, where aviation manufacturing is a significant economic driver," Larson (pictured) said. Washington is home to 1,250 firms in the aerospace cluster, employing more than 131,000. The aerospace industry is the largest exporting sector by dollar value in Washington accounting for $27 billion of the state’s total $64.6 billion in exports in 2011.

"To ensure that aviation manufacturing continues to play such a critical role in the nation’s economy, Congress must provide adequate resources for FAA certification services. Additionally, Congress should encourage FAA to improve the streamlining process, while maintaining the highest level of safety. 

"Therefore, I am pleased that the most recent FAA reauthorization directed the FAA to assess its certification process and address concerns related to the consistency of regulatory interpretation. More specifically, section 312 of the FAA reauthorization requires that FAA conduct an assessment of the aircraft certification and approval process."

Dorenda Baker, Director of Aircraft Certification Service, Federal Aviation Administration, represented the FAA at the hearing. In her opening statement, Baker cited the Small Airplane Revitalization Act of 2013 expected to be passed "shorty" by the Congress. "This legislation is intended to support the manufacturers of, primarily, general aviation airplanes and components by requiring FAA to reorganize and streamline our regulations and improve the certification process applicable to small airplanes."

Baker said the FAA is "addressing the concerns identified as a result of the provisions in the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012. Our efforts are transparent and are being done with the support of industry. The reports have clarified a path forward for the FAA to meet the ongoing and future demands of a dynamic industry that is crucial to the economic interests of all Americans."

Other witnesses included Gerald Dillingham, Director, Civil Aviation Issues, Government Accountability Office; Jeff Guzzetti, Assistant Inspector General for Aviation Audits, U.S. Department of Transportation; Ali Bahrami, Vice President – Civil Aviation, Aerospace Industries Association; Tom Hendricks, President, National Air Transportation Association; Pete Bunce, President, General Aviation Manufacturers Association; and Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, AFL-CIO (PASS) President Mike Perrone.

In his prepared remarks, Bunce (pictured, below) said the Small Airplane Revitalization Act is "a critical first step to regulatory reform of small airplane design requirements focused on streamlining the FAA certification process and making real-world safety improvements. We can have the best research programs and the most innovative technology, but if these products cannot get to market it is of no benefit to manufacturers, users, or the cause of safety."

However, he noted, there is much more progress that can and should be implemented to meet the laudable goal of ensuring an efficient, effective and safe FAA certification process.

"Simply put, our companies cannot bring new product to market without FAA approval. FAA must certify every aspect of a new aircraft design and all components and technologies as meeting the safety standards. We cannot overemphasize the importance of FAA certification to growth and sales in the global aviation industry. Unfortunately, FAA resources simply cannot keep up with the pace of industry activity and inefficiencies in FAA certification processes have led to missed business opportunities that restrict industry growth."

NATA's Hendricks testified that many general aviation businesses are concerned about a lack of consistent interpretation of FAA regulations in the aircraft certification process across the country.  When the FAA does not apply regulations consistently, it can affect a company’s ability to remain competitive.

“NATA represents businesses large and small that serve key roles in the nation’s economy.  These drivers of our economy deserve a level playing field where the rules are interpreted on a consistent basis,” Hendricks said.  “When the FAA grants approval for a certificate or process to one aircraft operator or maintenance facility, without giving the same approval to a similar business in another area of the country, it directly affects a company’s ability to remain competitive and costs our members. In a survey conducted by NATA, respondents cited tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost revenue per occurrence.

“New interpretations can also cause confusion and force aviation companies to redirect limited human and monetary resources – resources that would be better spent on improving aviation safety,” Hendricks said.

“Aircraft manufacturers depend on FAA inspectors being on the job to process certifications in a timely manner,” Perrone said in a news release. “These critical FAA employees must be given the tools and resources to continue performing their important work. PASS appreciates efforts being made to improve the certification process. We stand ready to work with the agency and lawmakers to ensure its success."

FMI: Committee Hearing Page