Nimbl Details Streamlined FAA LOA Approval Process

Nimbl hosted a webinar yesterday explaining the FAA’s improved process for letters of authorization (LOA) that allows Part 91 operators to receive approvals before aircraft delivery, eliminating months-long delays under the traditional system. The streamlined process, implemented in 2023 through a joint FAA-industry effort, enables operators to apply for multiple LOAs with a single application using statements of compliance covering aircraft capability, training, and procedures.

“This is one of those where we’re all in the same boat…just looking at doing the same work, but in a smarter way, more effectively and efficiently, using government and industry resources,” GAMA v-p of operations and safety Jens Hennig said during the webinar.

The program emerged from more than a decade of collaboration between industry and the FAA, Hennig explained. The effort began when the FAA’s Performance-based Operations Aviation Rulemaking Committee chartered a team to address bandwidth constraints at local flight standards district offices.

That work led to Advisory Circular AC 91-85A in 2016, which provided guidance on LOA approvals. In 2018, the FAA and GAMA established a joint working group that developed the streamlined framework, with Congress encouraging the initiative during FAA reauthorization. 

“It was about three inches worth of paperwork,” Hennig said of the traditional process. “The core issue…is that the FAA is looking at material that has already been looked at by somebody in flight standards, [someone] in aircraft certification, or elsewhere already.” Approval times could be three months or longer. The streamlined approach replaces hundreds of pages with preapproved documentation from manufacturers, training providers, and procedures vendors such as Nimbl.

“The idea is that you want to submit your application about 60 days prior to the delivery of your aircraft,” said Clément Meersseman, v-p of strategic partnerships at Nimbl. “You get them either before or right then when you pick up the aircraft,” enabling immediate international operations.

The webinar also covered recent updates, including new FAA templates and the transition to the Safety Assurance System portal for application submissions, though email submissions remain acceptable.