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By Daniel Baxter |
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November 28, 2010 — The proposed “policy clarification”
regarding A&P mechanics with Inspection Authorization
(IA), published by the FAA in the Federal Register, is
still creating many questions among EAA members as well
as varying interpretations of the policy. EAA has continued its dialogue with FAA officials to determine the intent of the policy change in order to help EAA members as they provide their comments to the docket by the December 6 deadline. In addition, EAA has requested an extended deadline to allow comments from all who want to participate.
In
recent conversations with senior FAA officials, EAA
asked a direct question: “Is the intent of the policy
revision to decrease the number of part-time A&P
mechanics who hold an Inspection Authorization?” FAA’s
answer was an unequivocal “No.” |
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The
confusion arises from the wide gap between how EAA and its
members are interpreting the proposal and the need for
clarification, compared to FAA’s intent with the policy
proposal.
In nearly
all the comments received to date in both the docket and at EAA
headquarters, however, the opposite opinion of FAA’s intent is
perceived. Most commenters believe the agency’s revised policy
will make it easier to be subjective, giving an FAA inspector
more room to deny or not renew an IA.
EAA firmly
believes that the FAA’s policy should be to maintain the current
level of part-time IAs, and encourage those mechanics who are
eligible to apply for an Inspection Authorization. EAA feels the
agency should clarify the process of both first-time application
and renewal so an applicant can be assured that aviation safety
inspectors (ASI) will make their determination regarding
eligibility by using the current |