SBA Repair Station Meeting Rescheduled

The Small Business Administration roundtable to discuss the FAA’s proposed Aviation Repair Station Rule – postponed due to the effects of Hurricane Sandy – has been rescheduled for Monday, November 5, 2012, from 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

The proposed rule, which the FAA claims is necessary to keep pace with current industry standards and practices, is expected to have a secondary effect on repair station customers and business partners. This includes aircraft parts distributors.  The SBA has recognized that there is significant small business interested in the proposed rule, and will typically write and file comments in response to industry concerns.

Those interested in attending the roundtable should RSVP to Bruce Lundegren via email.  A dial in conference call option may also be available with advanced request.  If you wish to dial in, contact Bruce Lundegren so that SBA can make the appropriate arrangements.

SBA Contact Information:

Bruce E. Lundegren, Assistant Chief Counsel, SBA Office of Advocacy
U.S. Small Business Administration
409 3rd St. SW, Washington, DC 20416
tel: (202) 205-6144
email: bruce.lundegren@sba.gov

SBA Repair Station Meeting Postponed!

The Small Business Administration’s small business roundtable to discuss the FAA’s proposed Aviation Repair Station rule has been postponed due to the severe weather effects of Hurricane Sandy.  The meeting will be rescheduled in the next couple of days.

The FAA’s proposed rule would revise the system of ratings, repair station certification requirements, the regulations on repair stations providing maintenance for air carriers, and even the way that repair stations record maintenance.  The rule is expected to have a secondary affect on repair station customers and business partners, including aircraft parts distributors.

The SBA has recognized the potential effects of the rule changes on small businesses and originally scheduled a roundtable meeting on October 30, 2012, to discuss the changes. Typically, the SBA will file comments to address industry concerns.  The roundtable is an excellent opportunity to make your concerns heard.  ASA will also submit comments on the proposed rule.

The ASA blog has periodically offered updates on the proposed Aviation Repair Station rule and will post an update when the SBA meeting is rescheduled.  Those interested in attending the rescheduled roundtable should RSVP to Bruce Lundgren via email.  A conference call option is usually available upon request.  If you wish to dial in, contact Bruce Lundgren in advance so that SBA can make the appropriate arrangements (but please wait until after the hurricane has passed and the federal Government is open again).

SBA Contact Information:

Bruce E. Lundegren, Assistant Chief Counsel, SBA Office of Advocacy
U.S. Small Business Administration
409 3rd St. SW, Washington, DC 20416
tel: (202) 205-6144
email: bruce.lundegren@sba.gov

Small Business Meeting on Repair Station Rule

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published a major proposed revision to the Repair Stations rules in the Federal Register on May 21, 2012.  FAA’s proposed rule would amend FAA regulations for aviation repair stations by revising the system of ratings, repair station certification requirements, the regulations on repair stations providing maintenance for air carriers, and even the way that repair stations record maintenance.  The rule is expected to have a secondary affect on repair station customers and business partners, including aircraft parts distributors.

The FAA has stated that the proposed rule is necessary because portions of the existing repair station regulations do not reflect current repair station aircraft maintenance and business practices, or advances in aircraft technology, and that the proposed rule would modernize FAA regulations to keep pace with current industry standards and practices.

The comment period for the proposed rule was scheduled to close on August 20, 2012; however, FAA extended the comment period until November 19, 2012.

The Small Business Administration has recognized that there is significant small business interest in this proposed rule.  Therefore, the SBA Office of Advocacy will host a roundtable meeting to discuss the proposed rule.  Typically, SBA will write and file a comment in response to industry concerns, and these comments tend to carry significant weight, so this is an excellent opportunity to get your voice heard on the issues that matter to you.

The meeting will be held at SBA on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 from 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. in the 7th Floor Conference Room.  SBA is located at 409 Third Street, SW Washington, DC 20416 (at the Federal Center SW Metro stops on the Orange and Blue lines).

This meeting is open to the public.  Please RSVP to Bruce Lundgren by email if you would like to attend the roundtable meeting.  A conference call in option is usually available upon request – if you would like to dial-in to participate, please contact Bruce Lundgren before the date of the meeting so he can make appropriate arrangements.

SBA Contact Information:

Bruce E. Lundegren, Assistant Chief Counsel, SBA Office of Advocacy
U.S. Small Business Administration
409 3rd St. SW, Washington, DC 20416
tel: (202) 205-6144
email: bruce.lundegren@sba.gov