SUMMARY:
On Sept. 8, the European Aviation Safety Agency and the Federal Aviation Administration signed Change 5 to the Maintenance Annex Guidance of the EU/FAA Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement making a number of changes to the administration of repair stations and adding the provision to the special conditions mandating that new products used on European-registered aircraft and products must have an accompanying FAA Form 8130.3.
MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS:
Change 5 to the Maintenance Annex Agreement was published Sept. 9, 2015, with significant editorial changes applicable to both U.S.-based EASA 145 repair stations as well as European-based FAA repair stations.
Some of the most noteworthy changes include:
- Changes to the MAG shall be implemented, as applicable, within 90 days after the effective date of the change.
- There is a new provision for aircraft repair station security.
- Likely the most dramatic change is with regard to new components used in maintenance. For U.S. OEMs and PC holders, the BASA now requires that documentation of release must be on the FAA Form 8130-3 as a new part. This is a significant change for many U.S.-based repair stations.
A thorough review of the latest Maintenance Annex Guidance is encouraged.
More information on the new agreements can be found at http://easa.europa.eu/document-library/bilateral-agreements/eu-usa.
AEA COMMENTARY:
The Aircraft Electronics Association has joined with a coalition of industry partners requesting the authorities to extend the 90-day implementation period for the new FAA Form 8130-3 mandate (click here for petition). Continue to watch AEA.net for the latest information as this issue continues to unfold.
The association has recorded a webinar that discusses the FAA Form 8130-3 requirements and other MAG changes.
Click here to watch the webinar. (AEA web account required)
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Ric Peri, AEA vice president of government and industry affairs, by email at ricp@aea.net or by phone at 202-589-1144.