Good Safety is Good Business: Defending Contract Maintenance

Good safety is good business. Promoting safety is in the best interests of our industry, and by all reliable indicators, the industry has done a superb job.

It is no coincidence that the rise of contract maintenance has coincided with safest period in the history of civil aviation. That outcome is no mistake; rather, it is the result of an effective – and ever improving – network of industry controls in concert with existing regulations. There is no incentive for any airline or repair facility to deliver an unsafe product; doing so would result in certain economic failure.

Contract maintenance allows for more specialization and focus on individual repair services in promoting the efficiency, expertise, and skill in an already highly talented and professional international workforce. Whether it is line maintenance performed by an airline, a complete engine overhaul done by a manufacturer, or contract avionics repair—those responsible for the repairs uphold the highest standards of safety and regulatory compliance.

No maintenance provider has a monopoly on safety. The same safety rules, standards, and regulations apply to maintenance work wherever it is performed. A person or entity that is FAA-certificated always approves all maintenance work for return to service. It is simply not possible under existing regulations for an airline to have its maintenance performed willy-nilly all over the world by whomever it pleases without retaining responsibility for the work.

The entire aviation maintenance industry is proud of its exemplary record of providing a safe product to the traveling public and ARSA works tirelessly to remind Congress of its excellent safety record and counter false safety arguments. Over the last few years, ARSA has testified at several congressional hearings focusing on the safety of contract maintenance. The association also engages with the press to correct the record and defend the industry in speculative media reports.

The maintenance industry must remain steadfast in stopping 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."

For more information on how you can help defend the MRO industry visit www.ARSAaction.org and check out ARSA’s Positive Publicity Campaign .