January 31, 2002

AMFA National Meeting with the General Accounting Office
in Washington DC

by Frank Boksanske, AMFA National Safety and Standards Director

The General Accounting Office is the investigative arm of Congress. GAO exists to support the Congress in meeting its Constitutional responsibilities and to help improve the performance and accountability of the federal government for the American people. GAO examines the use of public funds, evaluates federal programs and activities, and provides analyses, options, recommendations, and other assistance to help the Congress make effective oversight, policy, and funding decisions. In this context, GAO works to continuously improve the economy, efficiency, and effectiveness of the federal government through financial audits, program reviews and evaluations, analyses, legal opinions, investigations, and other services. GAO's activities are designed to ensure the executive branch's accountability to the Congress under the Constitution and the government's accountability to the American people. GAO is dedicated to good government through its commitment to the core values of accountability, integrity, and reliability.

The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association was invited to present to Senior Analysts from the GAO, the answers to a series of questions pertaining to the shortage of aviation technicians in the industry today, resulting from a request for factual data from Senate and Congressional leadership.

O.V. Delle-Femine, AMFA National Director; Steve Lanier; AMFA National Secretary, and Frank Boksanske, AMFA National Safety and Standards Director presented data that was researched and assembled by the AMFA Administration staff in Laconia and Terry Harvey, AMFA Assistant National Director.

The information provided to the GAO was quoted from the Presidential Emergency Board proceedings that was presented during NWA negotiations, research on FAR Part 145 and third party maintenance providers (3MPM), Maintenance Steering Group 3 (MSG3) practices, data relating to maintenance technicians relationship with the FAA and the air carriers, the current and future recommendations for aviation technician training and overall safety issues in the aviation industry today.

The timely results from the almost 800 aviation technician respondents to the National Safety Questionnaire supplemented the various issues presented.

The GAO was very responsive to the information presented and will submit a report to the Congress in early July.