The choice of an appropriate repair station is essential to aircraft owners, operators, and clients. These facilities are certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The facility certification process is stipulated in Title fourteen of the Federal Regulation Code. Repairing an aircraft involves maintenance, alteration, and inspection (Landry, 2012). Certificates are issued to repair facilities outside or inside the United States of America. Rising demands of air maintenance and travel have led to the proliferation of repair services. Therefore, it is essential to understand processes involved in the certification of aircraft maintenance station.
It begins with an initial inquiry to the issuance of a valid certificate. It ensures systems, programs, as well compliance are evaluated. The FAA is assisted by various Flight Standards District Offices (Federal Registrar, 2014). These are regarded as local representatives of the U.S FAA. They conduct enforcement and compliance actions such as aircraft maintenance, permits, certification, and modification. The certification process involves five essential phases. These include pre-application, initial process, document compliance, demonstration, and certification.
Pre-application involves addressing how various requirements will be met. This is done during a pre-application meeting. Additionally, applicants are required to submit a pre-application statement of intent (PSI). This shows the applicants have an intention to initiate a certification process. During this stage, an applicant conducts a review of advisory and regulatory material. This guides equipment, documentation, and requirements.
The formal application process begins by attaching all required documentation. Applicants are encouraged to utilize Advisory Circular for guidance and information on certification. The document describes acceptable ways of complying with various requirements. It is essential for applicants to meet all the conditions stipulated in certification manual. Moreover, applicants develop procedures for safe operations and compliance rules (Walker et al., 2012). The inspection and certification team may offer improvement without preparing any documentation. This ensures that applicants fully understand and adhere to various requirements and recommendations.
Certification team meets with the applicant to resolve any arising queries. This meeting is conducted following the receipt of an application package. It should involve key management personnel from the organization, as well as FAA certification team. In cases where the applicant is a corporation, a certificate of incorporation must be provided. Other documents necessary for evaluation of an applicant's eligibility should also be provided. Additionally, an alcohol and drug program should be provided.
Certification team examines various documents attached to the application for compliance. These can either be approved or disapproved. Additionally, manuals and other attachments are reviewed for rejection or acceptance. These ensure an applicant conforms to safe operating practices (SOPs), as well as regulations. This stage is conducted at the District offices by certification teams. The team then ensures that various proposed procedures are practicable. Inspections and demonstrations are conducted to ensure certain conditions are met. However, the project manager must make a decision whether demonstrations are necessary (Federal Aviation Administration, 2017). When the applicant meets all stipulated requirements, a temporary certificate is issued. Moreover, appropriate ratings are awarded.
In conclusion, it is crucial for operators to ensure their aircraft repair facilities have appropriate ratings and certification. This is essential for the safety of their aircraft and passengers. Additionally, repair facility owners have an obligation to meet all requirements stated under CRF part 145. This will ensure aircraft are properly maintained. Therefore, all repair facilities should be certified.
References
Federal Aviation Administration. (2017). Become a Certificated 14 CFR Part 145 Repair Station. Retrieved from Federal Aviation Administration: https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/repair/become/
Federal Registrar. (2014). Title 14 Aeronautics and Space Parts 110 to 199 (Revised as of January 1, 2014): 14-CFR. New York: IntraWEB,
Landry, S. (2012). Advances in Human Aspects of Aviation. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
Walker, F., Elshennaw, A., Gupta, B., & Vaughn, M. M. (2012). The Certified Quality Inspector Handbook. Milwaukee: ASQ Quality Press.
