FAA Extends FAR 145 Comment Period

The FAA has added 90 days to the comment period for the agency’s rewrite of Part 145 rules, moving the date to November 19. The change, which was posted in the U.S. Federal Register on August 17, comes in response to a letter from the Aeronautical Repair Station Association (Arsa) and other aviation industry associations requesting more time to comment.

According to Sarah MacLeod, Arsa’s executive director, the letter emphasized the significant operational and financial ramifications for the repair station industry, which is dominated by small business. The groups also highlighted the difficulty that many repair stations face in preparing to comment on such a robust rulemaking proposal.

Arsa has prepared a side-by-side comparison between the original and the new proposed document. “The additional time allows for a more comprehensive response that will undoubtedly improve any final rulemaking. The agency responded appropriately to the depth and breadth of the signature associations,” MacLeod told AIN. “The changes impact private, corporate and transport owners and operators, not just repair stations. The industry is committed to providing comprehensive comments to this far-reaching proposal.”