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AMFA Legislative Liaison Maryanne DeMarco and National Safety and Standards Director Frank Boksanske met with FAA Administrator Marion Blakey and Ms. Peggy Gillign, Deputy Associate Administrator of Regulations and Certification, in Washington D.C. on Monday May 24, 2004 to discuss aviation industry safety related issues and to suggest how AMFA can utilize its resources to interact in a positive manner with the Administration to enhance safety in the air transportation industry. Following are a few of the highlights and discussion from the meeting, much of which evolved around the objectives of the FAA four-year Flight plan: Human Factors Programs such as the Aviation Safety Awareness Program (ASAP) were discussed. Current AMFA represented air carriers planning or implementing an ASAP include Alaska, Atlantic Coast, Horizon, Southwest and United Airlines. AMFA National Safety and Standards membership on FAA committees such as the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC) and ASAP sub-committee was also discussed as well as the need for continued research on maintenance aircraft human factors. The FAA has recently created a position of “Chief Scientific and Technical Advisor for Human Factors in Aircraft Maintenance Systems.” That individual will serve to guide and prioritize the technological experimentation for the human factors in aircraft operation and maintenance programs in order to meet the FAA’s goal of providing a safe, secure and efficient aerospace system. Discussion followed regarding initial aircraft maintenance technical training and mandated training at air carriers for maintenance technicians. One of the FAA’s objectives is to provide training for safety-critical employees in a timely and efficient manner – current course content requirements need to keep pace with technological change. Third-party maintenance was also discussed regarding non-certified mechanics performing maintenance and inspections on certified commercial aircraft. Discussion evolved around AMFA National’s “Outsourcing Survey” and comments by submitters indicating the importance of requiring certified technical maintenance personnel performing all maintenance on certified air carriers. The FAA has increased it surveillance of third-party maintenance vendors in recent months. The issue of runway incursions was also addressed, highlighting the need to re-examine air carrier maintenance run/taxi training, initial qualification as well as re-qualification requirements. In the coming months, AMFA national will continue to work with other government agencies in Washington as well as the FAA to address relevant safety issues in the aviation industry. |