Aviation maintenance may conjure up images of noisy shops, wrenches, and grease-strained overalls, but it’s a function that literally keeps the world flying. Whether in the shop or in the air, aircraft maintenance plays a vital role in every facet of aviation. Nothing takes off, pilots and passengers can’t safely reach their destinations, until aircraft are deemed safe to fly.

Without maintenance, aviation is simply grounded.

“We never lose sight that the NATA Maintenance Committee’s primary purpose is serving our members’ maintenance and repair station needs, while acknowledging that our work benefits the entire aviation industry,” said Committee Chair Phil Stearns, Director of Sales and Marketing at Stevens Aerospace and Defense, a full-service aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) provider with locations in South Carolina, Tennessee, and Colorado.

 “The Committee addresses issues that improve efficiency and profitability, and resolves problems that keep maintenance operators concerned about their businesses,” Stearns added.

As part of its dedicated work on behalf of NATA members, the Maintenance Committee adds another important and central element into the equation: working daily with members of Congress and the FAA to monitor the ever-changing landscape of regulation. This ensures that members, and all aviators, are clearly aware of language and procedures affecting all maintenance and operations.

The Committee studies and recommends policy concerning existing and proposed aircraft maintenance regulations and legislation, and participates in sessions with appropriate legislative and regulatory agencies to express the needs and views of the association’s members.

“We work in a very a cooperative and constructive manner with Congress and the FAA,” said Committee Vice Chair Dan Lane, Vice President of Service at Hancock Aviation, a Baton Rouge-based provider of aircraft maintenance, repair, management, sales and brokerage services. “Our Committee’s effectiveness stems from having a deep and respectful relationship with leadership in Washington, enabling direct phone access and face-to-face meetings that accelerate problem resolution.”

The Maintenance Committee focuses on regulatory issues that affect both aviators and maintenance professionals, serving as an intermediary to help the FAA interpret and execute existing regulations, or modify those that no longer work effectively. That includes fluctuating or vague interpretations of FAA regulations across offices.

“We’ve identified inconsistent interpretation of regulations across different Flight Standards District Offices (FSDOs) as a major issue for our members,” Lane explained. “The Committee has been working very hard through open communication with the FAA to address these situations where identical issues may be subject to different treatment depending on geographic location.

“As aviators, we are all subject to rigorous standards, as we should be,” Lane added. “The Committee works to protect our interests against rules and procedures seen as incompatible with our passion and livelihood.”

While the Maintenance Committee has a far-reaching agenda in its daily support of NATA members and the broader aviation community, several pressing items occupy the top of its current to-do list.

These priorities include:

• Continuing to work with FAA to standardize communications, interpretations, and practices between the local FSDOs and FAA headquarters in Washington
• Clarifying the “Foreign Repair Station” issue with FAA, where member component and other vendors are using foreign repair stations with drug testing requirements different than those mandated by the FAA
• Developing the “A&P to Inspector” training program with a similar “Transition to DOM” program coming soon
• Confirming the FAA’s position of using offshore technicians and the VISA process
• Clarifying the FAA’s language and interpretation of handling pressurized bottles when removed for non-bottle related maintenance activity on aircraft
• Commenting on the latest proposed rulemaking for the full unleaded aviation fuel transition (2030 deadline, with an extension to 2032 for Alaska)

Also in the committee’s sights is important work that will be presented at the NATA annual conference in November, concerning the proper handling of AOG (Aircraft on Ground) situations.

“Current industry practices for removing disabled aircraft from runways are not always handled correctly, leading to potential safety risks and additional aircraft damage,” Stearns explained. “Proposed training will cover proper procedures for airport executives, FBO representatives, and line personnel to safely move aircraft without causing further damage. We’re focused on safe aircraft removal that minimizes further damage and liability, while keeping runways open for commerce.

“Insurance companies and all aviation stakeholders benefit from improved aircraft recovery procedures that minimize liability and additional damage,” Stearns added. “We’ll make sure to work toward a resolution that works best for our members.”

Maintenance, like almost every other corner of aviation, is also not immune to staffing issues. The Committee also takes a leading role in working with officials on strategic technology that address these shortages.

“We are facilitating new apprenticeship programs through a new spreadsheet tool that incorporates all requirements from the new Airman Certification Standards (ACS),” Lane said. “These standards are replacing the previous Practical Test Standards for Part 147 aviation maintenance schools. This tool calculates ACS progress and provides documentation for FAA Form 8610-2 applications, enabling apprentices to qualify for written examinations and A&P licensing. It’s another way our committee is lifting the entire industry.”

It’s important to note that the Committee in no way operates in a vacuum. True to the collaborative fabric of NATA, it interactively works with the broad association through the Member Advisory Board. This body provides input and feedback from NATA membership to identify priority issues and concerns affecting the industry.

“The board gives members a direct line to report specific problems, which the Committee then addresses through regulatory advocacy and industry solutions,” said Stearns.

“This helps ensure that our Committee is serving the full NATA membership’s aviation maintenance needs, rather than operating in isolation, “ Stearns added. “We’re there to make their jobs more efficient, more profitable, and address the issues that keep them up at night.”