ARSA CORNER ARSA CORNER
EVERYONE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR QUALITY
By Sarah MacLeod
their titles can have the toughest roles. Somehow, the title of director of quality or manager of quality assurance gives the impression that only those individuals are responsible for ensuring proper work is or has been done. Nothing could be further from the truth; every individual and company is responsible for ensuring compliance. Compliance means that the government and customer
T
requirements are fulfi lled. In the case of maintenance, aviation safety regulations require each person performing work on civil aviation aircraft, engines, propellers, appliances and articles to be responsible for doing the assigned tasks properly. If you don’t believe me, read the rules. The performance requirements in Part 43 (section 43.13) of title 14 Code of Federal Regulations apply to “each person” performing maintenance, preventive maintenance, rebuilding or alterations; section 1.1 defi nes “person” as individual and other entities. The belief that only certifi cated persons can be tagged by the FAA for “violations” is patently false — anyone can and should be aware of and responsible for the quality of work performed in civil aviation. If the company holds a certifi cate under Part 145 (repair station) or Part 121 or 135 (air carrier), that entity will also be responsible for ensuring individuals have the proper knowledge, training and/or certifi cates to hold specifi c positions or responsibilities.
PARTS Go To
www.weststaraviation.com
here are no easy jobs in aviation maintenance — all take a tremendous amount of knowledge and fortitude. However, persons that have “quality” in
The aviation safety regulations use the terms “quality
control” and “quality assurance” and under Parts 119, 121, 135 and 145 have some requirements for the individuals with certain titles. However, the holding of the title and/ or certifi cate by an individual does not make only that person responsible for “quality.” The companies that hold certifi cates authorizing performance and approval for return to service of maintenance, preventive maintenance and alteration work must ensure every individual understands that quality is essential to every task — it cannot be ‘inspected in” or “assured” after the fact. Quality control and assurance is the responsibility of every single person involved in aviation safety tasks, not just the person with a convenient title!
Sarah MacLeod is executive director of the Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA), an organization she helped found more than 25 years ago. She is a managing member at the law fi rm of Obadal, Filler, MacLeod & Klein P.L.C. and is engaged in the legal representation of
foreign and domestic air carriers, aircraft maintenance and alteration facilities, distributors, pilots, and other individuals and companies in federal court and before federal administrative bodies. She also serves as assistant chair for Air Carrier and General Aviation Maintenance of the FAA’s Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee, a post she has held since 1996. A globally-recognized expert in aviation regulatory compliance, she is a sought-after speaker and has appeared at numerous aviation and MRO events. She is admitted to the bar in Virginia.
There are always two sides to experience.
Experience Is Everything. To You. And To Us.
Ours is based on decades of dealing with parts and accessories for all makes and models of corporate aircraft. Yours is based on whether the right part arrived on time as promised. West Star offers 24/7 support for parts, accessories, and component overhaul/exchange, including Landing Gear repair, restoration and overhaul for Challenger and Hawker.
When it comes to aircraft parts and accessory support, we don’t take experience lightly. And neither should you.
East Alton, IL 800-922-2421
Grand Junction, CO 800-255-4193
Falcon l Citation l Gulfstream l Learjet l Hawker l Challenger l Global Express l Embraer l King Air l Conquest l Piaggio ® 06 2014 33
DOMmagazine.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64