FAA Rules Aside, U.S. Shops Prepare For SMS By Sean Broderick, Aviation Week Network The FAA remains undecided about whether to require organizationwide safety management systems for its 5,000 certified repair stations, but the global footprint of many U.S.-based shops leaves them with no choice. Transport Canada (TC) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) both require safety management...Read More

Is the aviation maintenance industry back in business? An interview with Bird Aviation’s Chief Executive Frederik Pralus Do you think the MRO industry has fully recovered from the pandemic years? The MRO industry has made significant strides towards recovery from the pandemic years, but the resumption of normalcy may vary depending on the specific sector of the MRO and the...Read More

8130-3 Airworthiness Approvals: Identifying Incorrectly Issued Tags By Jason Dickstein Over the past thirty years, I have watched the 8130-3 tag gain in importance as a mechanism for documenting airworthiness findings. Repair stations holding EASA privileges are especially aware of this in light of EASA 145.A.42 and the EASA-FAA Maintenance Annex Guidance, which stress the importance of the traceability documentation....Read More

Flight Safety Foundation Annual Report Highlights Threat to Aviation Safety from Eroding Safety Culture IFA Comments: Reinforcing the need for a strong and positive safety culture is fundamental to continuing civil aviation’s success. The international commercial airline industry did not suffer any fatal jet airliner accidents in 2023, according to Flight Safety Foundation’s 2023 Safety Report, but a series of close...Read More

EASA Wants Airbus A350 Engine Cover Anti-Icing System Checks By Rytis Beresnevecius, Simple Flying The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has mandated detailed inspections of the Airbus A350-900 and A350-1000 engine air inlet cowls after elongated locating holes on the part were found during maintenance, according to the regulator. Loss of anti-icing protection EASA stated that A350 nacelle anti-icing...Read More

Aircraft Maintenance: Risk Management for Mechanics By Jeff Simon, A&P mechanic, IA, pilot, and aircraft owner Aviation safety and risk management are perennial topics for pilots. From checklists to recurrent training and flight reviews, safety is ingrained in everything we do. Given the enormous emphasis on the risks of flying an aircraft, it may come as a surprise to find...Read More

FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737–8 and Model 737–9 airplanes Read the published document below: ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737–8 and Model 737–9 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a...Read More

Boeing B737 Max Operator Discovered Loose Bolts In Rudder Control System On Aircraft In December 2023 New FAA Airworthiness Directive (AD) On Boeing MOM : Boeing B737 Max Operator Discovered Loose Bolts In Rudder Control System On Aircraft In December 2023. The Aviation regulator of the United States of America, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has said that an operator of...Read More

Senate Commerce Committee Passes 5-Year Bipartisan Senate FAA Reauthorization Focused on Improving Safety, Advancing Technology Thursday 8th February, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation passed the bipartisan Senate Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2023. The legislation includes several provisions to strengthen safety standards and oversight at the FAA and responds to safety concerns from recent aviation...Read More

FAA halts further Boeing 737 MAX 9 expansion By Lucy Powell In a surprising move, following the MAX 9 plug door blowout incident and subsequent grounding, the FAA has now halted any further MAX production expansion by Boeing whilst it investigates the aircraft’s safety.  This announcement follows the FAA’s investigation of Boeing and its suppliers, which was posted on Friday12 January. However,...Read More