One-Size-Fits-All Mentality May Not Work

NATA Monday told the TSA it's worried about new rules that would affect security at authorized repair stations both at home and abroad.

The TSA held a public meeting on February 27 to discuss new rulemaking requirements for both foreign and domestic repair stations.  NATA, along with several other industry associations, participated in the meeting to voice its concerns and weigh in on the possible security measures.

NATA is concerned that the TSA may approach rulemaking with a "one-size-fits-all" mentality, which the association sees as impractical because it does not take into account the varying sizes or locations of all repair stations.  There are approximately 5,500 FAA certificated repair stations, 4,680 domestic and 860 foreign.  Of these 5,500 repair stations, 2,600 are component repair stations of which 2,300 are domestic and 300 are foreign. 

"Any security measures must focus on what is realistic and appropriate for repair stations in this country, most of which are small businesses," stated James K. Coyne, NATA's president.  "We must be sure not to incorporate measures that will do little for security while drastically raising the costs of doing business in the aviation industry," continued Coyne.

The association is also concerned that this new repair station security process, initiated by the TSA due to a provision outlined within the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill that was signed into law late last year, supersedes Congressional intent. 

"Congressional intent clearly states that this new rulemaking process apply only to foreign repair stations that work on Part 121 air carriers, not domestic repair stations that work on general aviation aircraft," Coyne concluded.

NATA staff members, together with members of NATA's Aircraft Maintenance and System Technology Committee, will monitor the progress of the proposed rule and provide the TSA with additional comments as the agency moves forward.

FMI: www.nata-online.org