Update on TSA Repair Station Inspection Program
News & Happenings
October 16, 2007
The 2003 FAA Reauthorization called for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop a program that ensures security of aircraft repair stations, both domestic and international.
The 9/11 Commission Bill included a revised timeline for the aircraft repair station inspection program. The bill requires that a final rule be published within 12 months of signing of the bill (February 2008) and that foreign station audits occur within six months from the date the final rule is issued, rather than original deadline of 18 months.
TSA is making significant progress, including:
- Making dozens of familiarization visits to both foreign and domestic repair stations
- Working the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to share existing repair station data
- Creating a preliminary database with basic information on the existing 4,182 domestic and 717 foreign repair stations
- Drafting an inspection prioritization list
What we are doing now
The Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) is in progress and is scheduled to be published in spring 2008. Audits of repair stations will begin after the final rule is published, foreign stations audits will occur within six months and domestic station audits will be ongoing.Repair Station Usage
In a 2005 Air Transport Association (ATA) survey, data revealed that of roughly 5,000 heavy airframe checks – a common type of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) required maintenance - that year, 70 percent were performed internally by the airline and 30 percent went to contractors. Of that 30 percent, only one-third – 450 total - were performed at foreign repair stations.
Aircraft Repair Process
Every day more than 7,600 U.S. commercial aircraft are either in use or on standby to carry passengers around the world. U.S. air carriers are responsible for ensuring the maintenance of these aircraft. They utilize various outlets to perform the necessary maintenance or repairs, from completing the work in-house, to using domestic and foreign contract repair stations.
The Department of Transportation reports that roughly 40 percent of the total amount spent on maintenance goes to contractors (although the amount varies by airline). It is important to note that on a per unit basis, engines and components have much higher repair costs than the airframe itself, and most of that work is done by contractors.
