TSA Moves The Deadline Back To February 19th

TSA is extending the comment period on the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) regarding the Aircraft Repair Station Security Program published on November 18, 2009.  TSA has decided to grant, in part, two requests for an extension of the comment period and will extend the comment period for thirty days.

According to information published in the Federal Register, in two separate requests, one dated November 20, 2009, from the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association (PAMA) and the other dated November 23, 2009, from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), both organizations requested that the deadline for filing comments on the Aircraft Repair Station Security PRM be extended for an additional 60 days from January 19, 2010, to March 19, 2010.  PAMA and IATA believed that the original 60-day comment period was insufficient to provide TSA with substantive comments. PAMA requested additional time for its membership to read and respond to the NPRM, due to the holiday season being the airlines' busiest time of the year. IATA believes that due to the complexity and scope of the rule, there is insufficient time for careful consideration by stakeholders.

IATA also said that further time is required for translation and review of the NPRM by foreign repair station operators abroad.

TSA has decided to grant, in part, PAMA and IATA’s requests for an extension and will extend the comment period for thirty (30) days. TSA believes that public awareness of the proposed Aircraft Repair Station Security rulemaking, which began in February 2004 with a public meeting and comment period, has allowed sufficient time for industry consideration. The comment period will now be a total of 90 days and will end on February 19, 2010. This extension will allow the aviation industry and other interested entities and individuals additional time to complete their comments on the NPRM and will enable TSA to continue its efforts to implement final regulations as mandated by 49 U.S.C. 44924.

FMI: www.tsa.gov