Unpuzzling The Regs Put Forth by The Washington Puzzle Palaces

Ric Peri, AEA's man in Washington, chatted with Aero-TV a few wks on a number of topics, and in Part Two of the interview, Peri talks some more about Repair Stations, Repair Manuals, standardization, and the ever-changing role of the DER.

The status of the Part 147 ARAC, the standard for Aviation maintenance schools, came up as it will determine how (primarily) A&Ps are brought into the industry for years to come. The program has been out of committee for quite a few months and the inevitable back and forth between the industry and the FAA is underway.

AML-STCs... the topic is a complex one and one that was generating quite a bit of discussion at AEA 2009. AML (Approved Model List) STCs are a way to lower the costs and regulatory complexity of avionics installations, but the problem is that all such STC are hybrids... putting the burden of installation, interfaces, and any special requirements on the installer. The current generation of AMLs, says Peri, requires extensive knowledge on the part of the installer and the shop that they work for... especially since so many installs these days are for whole systems rather than individual units... thus requiring a wide range of avionics knowledge and not nearly as much specialization.

Peri also chatted about the definition of "currency" as regards inspection programs... especially as to how the FAA seems to be readying to define it from here on out. These definitions will mean much to the industry -- but seem to be set to mean different things for different types and generations of technologies. These definitions are going to be somewhat fluid for the next few years as the industry digests what these changes mean and wrestles with the FAA for their ultimate interpretations. 

Ric Peri is AEA's Vice President Of Government & Industry Affairs and an astute observer of the Washington regulatory scene. The Aircraft Electronics Association represents more than 1,300 aviation businesses, including repair stations that specialize in maintenance, repair and installation of avionics and electronic systems in general aviation aircraft. AEA membership also includes instruments facilities, manufacturers of avionics equipment, instrument manufacturers, airframe manufacturers, test equipment manufacturers, major distributors, and educational institutions.

AEA's Ric Peri Updates Aero-TV On The Current Aero-Electronic Regulatory Environment (Part Two)!

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