Sun, May 25, 2003
Inspectors Must Now Know Something About The Stuff They
Inspect
This
week the FAA issued a revised set of instructions (Change 16 to
Order 8300.10) to FAA inspectors for the approval of major repairs
and alterations to aircraft. These instructions replace those
issued in September 2002.
Pain Relief
The revision was due to significant problems for aircraft owners
and mechanics attempting to obtain approval for such changes. Some
local FAA Flight Standards District Offices (FSDO) simply refused
to process many of the applications for repairs and alterations and
used what is commonly referred to as field approvals, or 337s.
Aircraft operators in Alaska were so greatly affected that the FAA
agreed to temporarily rescind the implementation of the new policy
in the Alaska Region. The revised instructions clarify to FSDO
inspectors what major repairs and alterations they can approve and
what resources are available to assist them in making their
determination.
Another issue: if the inspector was not "thoroughly familiar
with all aspects of the alteration or repair" he or she could not
provide the approval. This language led to the denial of several
applications when the policy was first released. The revised
instructions added the following statement:
"The lack of ASI qualifications does not mean the FSDO should
deny a field approval and tell the applicant that they need an STC.
The ASI can seek assistance from another ASI or FSDO, as
appropriate."
And because some applicants do not have an in-depth knowledge of
all the information needed and the manner it should be presented,
the new instructions provide for that situation. They also allow
applicants to make changes to the application in order to prevent
denial and the need for a complete new application.
More News
Takeoff Roll The process whereby an aircraft is aligned with the runway centerline and the aircraft is moving with the intent to take off. For helicopters, this pertains to the act>[...]
“We’re proud of the hard work that went into receiving this validation, and it will be a welcome relief to our customers in the European Union. We couldn’t be mor>[...]
Also: 1800th E-Jet, Uncle Sam Sues For Landing Gear, Embraer Ag Plane, Textron Parts A friend of the family reported that Lt. Col. (Ret.) Richard Glenn Rutan flew west on Friday, M>[...]
Also: Virgin Galactic, B-29 Doc to Allentown, Erickson Fire-Fighters Bought, FAA Reauthorization After dealing with a big letdown after the unexpected decision by Skyreach to disco>[...]
"Aircraft Spruce is pleased to announce the acquisition of the parts distribution operations of Wag-Aero. Wag-Aero was founded in the 1960’s by Dick and Bobbie Wagner in the >[...]