Educating Congress on the Facts about Aviation Safety

ARSA Position

The contract maintenance industry suffers most from misperceptions about safety and security. Congressional scrutiny of contract maintenance is at an all time high; labor organizations are now declaring “war” on contract maintenance; and the resulting media attention has been negative, at best. An effective way to combat this negativity is to ensure that those at the top understand how safe and secure your work is. The reality is that certificated entities worldwide perform work of unsurpassed quality, adhere to the same safety standards and rules, and have a robust safety record.

Discussion

Think Congress isn’t concerned about aviation safety? Over the last few years, ARSA has testified at several congressional hearings focusing on contract maintenance and the use of foreign repair stations. Legislation was enacted in 2007 requiring the Transportation Security Agency (TSA) to rush the development of repair station security rules. The agency released its notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in late 2009. Unfortunately, Congress responded to the TSA’s delay by placing a “freeze” on initial certification of foreign-based part 145 repair stations. The perception that contract repair stations lack security resulted in a damaging hindrance to industry expansion.

Perception is quickly becoming reality. Numerous articles published this past year in major media outlets portrayed contract maintenance in a negative light. Organized labor and its allies are particularly fervent in disseminating information aimed at undercutting the truth about contract maintenance. In response, ARSA is rolling out its Positive Publicity Campaign (PPC), directing counterpoints to the frequent untruths propagated about our safe and secure industry. The PPC effort has yielded valuable results ranging from a in-depth assessment of public perception of the industry to an economic assessment of the aviation maintenance industry.

The maintenance industry must become engaged to stop the proliferation of the negative messages. Start at the top; if your members of Congress don’t know you exist, it is easy for them to promulgate harmful legislation. Educate your congressional representatives about how the industry works the level of oversight by regulators and customers, the economics of your organization, and the fact that “safety is your business”.