Citing a lack of sufficient time to respond to guidance from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on how repair stations will implement required training programs, the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) this week formally requested a 60-day extension to the recently announced comment period for Advisory Circular (AC) 145-RSTM. It was the second time in two days a major alphabet group criticized the FAA for moving too fast on the circular. Tuesday, the AEA issued a similar statement.
“Given the ambiguity of FAR 145.163, the draft AC constitutes the FAA’s only guidance for the development of training programs for repair stations certificated under Part 145,” wrote Eric R. Byer, NATA Vice President of Government and Industry Affairs, in comments submitted to the FAA. “Issuing the draft AC with only a 30-day comment period does not allow affected entities the opportunity to evaluate and comment on this comprehensive document.”
In the extension letter, the association also raised specific concerns about how the limited time allotted to comment impacts small businesses affected by the draft AC.
“This comment period is especially disturbing to owners of small businesses, which account for a significant number of the aviation companies nationwide. The limited time does not allow them to adequately review, consider and respond to the AC while continuing to operate their business,” Byer concluded.
