Newsletters
December 2009
Aviation Technology Solutions |
December 2009 Newsletter |
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JDA Aviation Technology Solutions today announced that the FAA has renewed JDA's Part 121 Certification Consultant Agreement through November 2011. Under the FAA Certification Consultant Program, qualified firms such as JDA may be used by Part 121 applicants to assist the new entrant carrier with the FAA certification process. In October 2005, JDA became one of only two aviation consulting firms to first meet the qualifications necessary to be recognized as a Part 121 Certification Consultant, and continues to maintain the high program standards and requirements established by the FAA. In addition to a team of highly experienced personnel, JDA uses a rigorous proprietary procedure, CertAssure™, to guide applicants through the certification process. By following the CertAssure™ process, both the carrier seeking Part 121 certification and the agency are assured that all aspects of the certification process have been met. CertAssure™ helps carriers expedite the process while maintaining high quality and cost effectiveness throughout the certification effort. The CertAssure™ process is also used by JDA to help existing air carriers implement FAA Air Transport Oversight System (ATOS) and Safety Management Systems (SMS) programs. JDA was instrumental in getting Lynx Aviation (Frontier Express) certified as a Part 121 air carrier under this program, and has also supported Southwest Airlines, American Airlines and Piedmont Airlines with their ATOS / System Safety implementations using CertAssure™. Air Transportation Oversight System (ATOS) Data Collection Tools (DCT) Data Collection Tools (DCT) are used in the Air Transportation Oversight System (ATOS) Business Process to assist FAA Principal Inspectors (PI) in evaluating whether the design and performance of a Part 121 operator's systems meet the standards set by 14 Code of Federal Regulation (CFR), Part 121 and Title 49. A Safety Attribute Inspection tool (SAI) is used to collect data about system design and regulatory compliance. The Element Performance Inspection tool (EPI) is used to collect data so the PI can determine if the operator follows its written processes and whether the process produces the desired result. Changes to regulations and guidance have impacted the ATOS SAI and EPI Data Collection Tools (DCT). Examples of changes include revised de-icing holdover tables, the addition of 14 CFR Part 60 (Flight Simulator Training Devices), and the addition of 14 CFR Part 121 subpart AA (Continued Airworthiness and Safety Improvements). The FAA currently has a DCT Revision project underway that once completed, will revise all DCTs. The project is scheduled to be completed by summer of 2010. The revision project will delete or combine a total of 25 Airworthiness Elements and 9 Operations Elements. The remaining DCT Element List will include a total of 34 Airworthiness Elements and 38 Operations Elements. The DCTs are revised on a continuous basis in order to maintain currency; on December 3, 2009 the FAA deleted 25 ATOS elements and 23 other DCTs were improved. Many of the questions from the 25 deleted elements are included in the SAIs and EPIs for the 23 revised elements. To review the latest SAIs and EPIs, click here. Complimentary Operational Control Consultations Many business aircraft owners pay monthly management fees to place their aircraft on a Part 135 certificate as a means to gain revenue during slack operating periods. This arrangement seemingly creates a win-win-win situation that allows the aircraft owner to obtain revenue from the charter flights, the Part 135 charter operator to generate revenue without the cost of aircraft ownership and passengers to get greater availability of charter aircraft at a reduced cost. The FAA has concluded that this arrangement, when coupled with the provisions of a flight crew, is often nothing more than a "rent a certificate sham." In many cases the FAA determined that the certificate holders lacked Operational Control over the aircraft and the flights were operated illegally. The results have been record fines, certificate suspensions and revocations and even jail time for flying illegal Part 135 flights. Learn more about this issue in our October 2009 newsletter. To determine if you are at risk, contact Tom Stuckey for a complimentary 30-minute Operational Control consultation. Simply e-mail tstuckey@jdasolutions.aero or call 301-941-1460 ext. 210.
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