Giving the FAA the Money it Needs to Do the Job Right

ARSA Position

Because of the high level of federal oversight of the aviation maintenance industry, if agencies do not have the resources they need to perform their duties in a timely manner, the industry’s efficiency suffers. Therefore ARSA supports increased funding for FAA safety inspectors and for agencies such as the TSA to ensure that companies are not being disadvantaged by administrative delays.

Discussion

Each year, the president submits a budget proposal to Congress for federal agency funding. While high profile items such as "Next-Gen" upgrades and runway capacity take center stage, it is vitally important to realize that an inspector workforce is critical to the continued success of the aviation industry.

Congressional proposals in the past year would mandate increased inspections, better oversight, and more examination of repair stations. Yet these proposals do not always account for an increased need in inspector workforce. The House FAA reauthorization bill (H.R. 2881) provides for increased inspectors; but it is up to the appropriators in Congress (those who write the checks) to ensure the money is spent on an annual basis.
ARSA data supports the notion that lack of FAA oversight resources is hurting the repair station industry. A quarter of the respondents to ARSA’s 2007 member survey reported losing customers or foregoing business opportunities because of regulatory delays resulting from inadequate FAA staffing.

Another example is the TSA’s long-anticipated repair station security rules. Though Congress has taken the time to reprimand TSA for the delay in promulgating the rules, and punished industry for the lack of action, there has not been additional money allocated to ensure these rules get done. TSA has a number of priorities on its plate, and has testified before Congress that repair station security is not an immediate threat. However, to ensure the industry does not suffer further from agency delay, it’s important to emphasize the need to provide full funding to the agency.