House And Senate Bills Still Differ Significantly

The $53.5 billion FAA reauthorization bill that has passed the U.S. House of Representatives has a provision that would allow the FAA to inspect foreign repair stations twice a year, and to require those facilities that work on U.S. airliners to introduce mandatory drug and alcohol testing. But the Senate bill currently under consideration, which tips the budget scale at $40 billion, does not make those provisions mandatory. It provides an exception if "a bilateral aviation safety agreement [is] in place that allows for comparable inspection by local authorities."

The disagreement between the two could slow the FAA reauthorization process, as differences between the two bills must be resolved before being sent to the President.

Air Transport World reports that Dana Jennings, a professional staffer for the majority in the House aviation subcommittee, told the FAA's International Safety Forum "We're just trying to make sure we have the same safety standards [at foreign repair stations] that we have in the US."

The EU contends that the stipulation runs contrary to an Aviation Safety agreement signed between it and the U.S. last year. "We negotiated for several years in good faith with FAA," said Luisa Ragher, a representative for the European Commission's Washington delegation. "we trust the FAA" to inspect and certify US repair stations and in turn "FAA trusts us."

The House bill passed with little Republican support. Aviation subcommittee Republican Staff Director Holly Woodruff Lyons, who is also the minority's Senior Council, said some U.S repair stations "may have to close" because EASA inspections could come with "heavy fees," which would be more than they could afford to pay.

FMI:  www.house.gov, www.senate.gov