Comments Must Now Be In By April 16

 Few articles of regulation have spurred as many reactions from the aviation community as the FAA's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, announced late last year, on amending repair station ratings and quality assessment procedures. From the original proposal's December 1 issue date, it appeared fairly obvious 90 days wouldn't be nearly enough to handle all the comments... and this week, the FAA agreed.

Acting on a request from the Aeronautical Repair Station Association, the FAA has extended the comment period for its Repair Stations NPRM, Docket No. FAA-2006-26408, another 45 days. All comments on the proposal must now be received by April 16, 2007.

As Aero-News reported, under the NPRM a new Avionics Rating would combine the Radio, Instrument, and parts of the accessory ratings into a single rating. The proposed rating would group together items that operate electrically or electronically and that require a unique set of skills not associated with other ratings.

In addition, this rating would allow repair stations to perform maintenance on in-flight entertainment units or other electronic units, as specified in their operations specifications.

In response to industry and ARAC recommendations, the FAA would no longer issue limited ratings. Instead, the FAA would issue limitations to the rating of a certificated repair station governing maintenance or alterations on a particular type of aircraft, powerplant, propeller, avionics, or component part.

The FAA also proposes significant additional changes to include requiring a repair station to maintain a capability list, designating a chief inspector, and having permanent housing for its facilities, equipment, materials, and personnel.

So if these issues matter to you... get your comments in now.

FMI: Read The NPRM (.pdf)