As a result of the efforts of our AMFA National Legislative Liaison on the issue of aviation security working specifically with Congressman Rob Andrews (D-NJ) - H.R. 4582 "Aircraft Repair Station Security Enhancement Act of 2005" - was crafted and introduced in the remaining weeks of
December 2005.
This vital piece of legislation serves as a "wake-up" call to other members of Congress and leaders
in the industry regarding the serious national and avation security gap in Federal Aviation Regulations and rules. It also highlights aviation security and safety vulnerabilities presented to our industry by outsourcing critical aircraft maintenance to both domestic and foreign "repair stations" - where there is no requirement for workers at these "repair stations" to undergo a 10-yr CHRC (FBI Background check). This is a serious aviation security vulnerability. (See chart below for Federal Aviation Regulatory disparities)
Equally as important, this bill will help to preserve - and prevent the future loss of - many thousands of highly-skilled U.S. FAA A&P licenced mechanic's jobs to "low-cost contractors" in America and overseas.
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10-yr FBI
Background Check
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Random
Drug & Alcohol
Testing
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U.S. Airline
A&P Mechanic
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√
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√
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√
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Domestic
Repair Station
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Not Required
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Not Required
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Not Required
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Foreign
Repair Station
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Not Required
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Not Required
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Not Required
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Now that U.S. airlines are outsourcing more than 53% of critical aircraft maintenance work to both foreign and domestic "repair stations" - security and safety has been compromised. This is an unacceptable national security risk and aviation security risk to the flying public.
What can you do? How and who do you contact? As a regular passenger, occasional flyer, or even a person who lives under the extensive US aviation system - it is imperative that you do the following:
WRITE A LETTER TO YOUR MEMBER OF CONGRESS!
- State that you support H.R. 4582 "Aircraft Repair Station Security Enhancement
Act of 2005" - and urge them to do the same.
- Let them know who you are and voice your concerns about the lack of aviation safety and security regulations as well as oversight at repair stations, and the loss of highly-skilled FAA licensed A&P mechanics' jobs to "low-cost contractors" in America and overseas.
Sample letter to Congress (click here)
To find out who your representative is - go to: www.congress.org (click here)
MAIL YOUR LETTER. (Instructions) Once you've written your letter to Congress, mail it directly to:
Zachary Peterson, AMFA National Legislative Liaison
AMFA National Legislative Office
1725 I Street, NW
Suite 300
Washington, DC 20006
We will be personally delivering your letters to members of Congress to ensure that
your voice is heard. IT'S THAT IMPORTANT!
If you have any questions please call the AMFA National Legislative Office at (202) 822-8700
- or- email your questions to: legislative@amfanatl.org
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