The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) recently praised the FAA’s effort to provide additional compliance guidance for repair stations that use internal evaluation programs. The FAA has proposed to add compliance information in a draft update to Advisory Circular 145-5 Chg. 1, "Repair Station Internal Evaluation Program."
In comments on the draft AC, NATA notes the document’s list of “common areas that repair stations can drift away from during normal operation…can be very helpful to repair stations when establishing an internal evaluation program.” The association added that it supports the direction of the AC and the effort to encourage more certificate holder involvement with safety assurance systems, such as internal evaluation programs and reporting programs.
The association also encouraged the FAA to ensure the AC is aligned with inspector guidance to continue the agency’s effort to improve its consistency and standardization effort.