Comments on 145 Security Proposal Mostly Negative

After the Transportation Security Administration issued a notice of proposed rulemaking for FAA-certified Part 145 repair station security on November 17, comments from those affected started accumulating in the public docket. “We want to make sure we don’t create obstacles to getting an airplane repaired,” said Doug Carr, NBAA vice president for security, “because it will have an impact on safety.” Most of the nearly 30 comments received through yesterday were negative. One individual wrote, “This is an entirely useless idea. Why would anyone want to attack an unairworthy aircraft? The TSA is trying to justify its existence, and this would place another unneeded and unwarranted burden on an industry that is already suffering.” The Professional Aviation Maintenance Association has submitted a request to extend the comment period to March 20 from the current January 19 deadline.