SUMMARY:
The Transportation Security Administration has issued regulations to improve security at repair stations located within and outside the United States as required by the Aviation Reauthorization Act.
The regulations apply to all repair stations certificated by the FAA under 14 CFR Part 145, except repair stations located on a U.S. or foreign government military base. All repair stations are subject to inspection as provided in the rule and to security directives, should there be a security need. However, the rule requires only certain repair stations to carry out specific security measures on a regular basis.
MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS:
To determine if action is required, you need to answer a few questions:
Are you a Federal Aviation Administration Part 145 repair station? If "NO," this rule does not apply to you. If "YES," continue.
In general, each repair station must allow TSA and other authorized Department of Homeland Security officials, at any time and in a reasonable manner, without advance notice, to enter, conduct any audits, assessments or inspections of any property, facilities, equipment and operations; and to view, inspect and copy records as necessary to carry out TSA's security-related statutory or regulatory authorities.
Additional security measures are as follows:
For specific repair stations located on or adjacent to airports that regularly serve commercial (Part 119) aircraft with a TSA security program, the repair station must provide TSA with the name and means of contact on a 24-hour basis of a person or persons designated by the repair station with security responsibility. Many members have recently received a letter notifying them of the new repair station security regulations.
- If the letter arrived and it was addressed to the correct person, no additional communication with TSA is required.
- If the letter arrived but you choose to designate someone else (or additional persons) to TSA with security responsibility for the repair station, simply send a letter to the TSA office identified on the letter informing them of the correction.
IF you are working on an airport with TSA security program with commercial service AND you are working on aircraft with a gross takeoff weight of greater than 12,500 pounds, there are additional security requirements that include:
- The prevention of unauthorized operation of all large aircraft under your control, which are capable of flight.
- Background checks of those individuals who are designated as the TSA point(s) of contact.
- Background checks for those who have access to any keys or other means used to prevent the operation of large aircraft.
For more information on aircraft security requirements, click here.
For more information on employee background check requirements, click here.
This new repair station security rule will become effective on Feb 27, 2014.
AEA COMMENTARY:
The Aircraft Electronics Association will be providing training on these new requirements at the 57th annual AEA International Convention & Trade Show, March 12-15, in Nashville, Tenn.\
The AEA's member service company, NATA Compliance Services, will be available for consultation during the convention to discuss employee background checks and other security questions.
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.