The leader of the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, AFL-CIO (PASS)\u2014representing 11,000 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) employees\u2014today welcomed the introduction of the Safe Aircraft Maintenance Standards Act in the House of Representatives. The bill was introduced by Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), chair of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill would protect the country\u2019s ability to inspect FAA-certificated foreign repair stations that service U.S.-based aircraft. \u201cAircraft maintenance should be held to the same standard whether an aircraft is inspected abroad or in the United States,\u201d said PASS National President Mike Perrone. \u201cThe aviation safety inspectors we represent at the FAA are tasked with ensuring that all repair stations comply with U.S. safety regulations,\u201d he continued. \u201cHowever, the agency currently lacks the funding and personnel to adequately conduct robust inspections.\u201d<\/p>\n
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The Safe Aircraft Maintenance Standards Act will allow the FAA to respond to the aviation industry\u2019s growing reliance on outsourced maintenance work by ensuring that the inspection of FAA-certificated foreign repair stations is conducted as rigorously as their U.S. counterparts. Currently, domestic repair stations are subject to unannounced inspections by the FAA while foreign repair facilities often receive up to 60 days\u2019 notice prior to an inspector\u2019s arrival. This legislation targets that concerning gap in safety oversight. \u201cThey know we\u2019re coming,\u201d said Perrone. \u201cOur inspectors are not confident with the level of oversight of these facilities and believe that serious safety issues may not be adequately addressed or may be covered up before the inspector arrives at the site.\u201d<\/p>\n