Aeronautical Repair Station Association reported OIG’s
most important finding was the FAA has been more focused
on mandatory inspections than shifting limited oversight
resources to high risk areas. The Aeronautical Repair
Station Association (ARSA), which represents aviation
maintenance and manufacturing companies, has long echoed
concerns expressed in the report and worked with
regulators and lawmakers to improve the quality of
oversight.
To
improve regulation of the aviation maintenance industry,
ARSA believes the OIG should ensure the FAA issues
regulations in strict accordance with statutes; provides
clear, concise guidance material to its workforce and
the public; and enforces the regulations uniformly and
consistently.
ARSA Executive Vice President Christian A. Klein said
“Shortcomings at the FAA don’t translate into safety
deficiencies in the industry. Regardless of whether or
not regulators are looking over their shoulders, our
members have an overwhelming business incentive to
achieve the highest levels of safety possible.”
Back in November the International Association of
Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) stated - For more
than 25 years the IAM has been the leading critic of
federal repair station regulations. Current regulations
create risky incentives for US carriers to outsource
aircraft maintenance to poorly regulated facilities
abroad that do not meet the same rigid FAA safety
requirements as do facilities in the United States. The
poorly crafted regulations have resulted in the loss of
thousands of highly skilled US mechanic jobs.
“IAM represented aircraft mechanics have set the gold
standard in aircraft maintenance. They ensure the
airworthiness of aircraft and enable people to travel
the world safely,” said Sito Pantoja. “This standard is
at risk as the outsourcing of critical safety-sensitive
aircraft repairs has become the operating norm in an
environment where air carriers 'forum shop' for cheap
labor costs and lax regulations.”
“It’s up to the FAA to close loopholes in air safety
regulations that incentivize US airlines to outsource
aircraft maintenance overseas,” said Pantoja. “We
strongly urge the FAA to adopt the changes offered by
the IAM.”
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