The System is Broken [and Here’s How to Fix It]

摘要

Here is what is happening to aviation businesses that are just trying to do the job right and deliver some service to their customers. A company plans installation of a mandated avionics system like RVSM or TAWS. Approval by a local FAA office is part of the process. The manager of the avionics shop calls the local FAA office to see about scheduling an appointment to handle the necessary approval. The FAA response? "Sorry, we're very busy. The best we can tell you now is that in about three weeks, we can let you know when we'll be able to think about scheduling your job." The shortage of FAA manpower isn't just in the modifications-approval arena. Every time I meet with FAA maintenance inspectors, they rattle off a list of all the operators that they are charged with monitoring, and the numbers are staggering. One inspector often has dozens of companies to oversee, and that doesn't include hundreds of mechanics with Inspection Authorization.