Avionics News November 2011 - (Page 16)

F R o M R I C P E R I V I C E P R ES I D E N T o F G oV E R N M E N T & I N D U ST Ry A F FA I RS Fo R A EA The Aircraft Electronics Association’s international membership continues to grow. Currently, the AEA represents avionics businesses in more than 35 countries throughout the world. To better serve the needs of the AEA’s international membership, the “International News and Regulatory Updates” section of Avionics News offers a greater focus on international regulatory activity, international industry news and an international “Frequently Asked Questions” column to help promote standardization. If you have comments about this section, send emails to avionicsnews@aea.net. news & regulatory Updates Inappropriate Design Approval Holder restrictions on the Use and Availability of Instructions for Continued Airworthiness The Federal Aviation Administration announced the availability and request for public comments on the proposed policy statement addressing the action taken by some design approval holders restricting the availability, distribution and use of instructions through contractual agreements or restrictive language in the actual ICA. Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 21.50(b) requires the holder of a design approval to furnish at least one set of complete instructions for continued airworthiness to the owner of each type aircraft, aircraft engine or propeller upon its delivery, or upon issuance of the first standard airworthiness certificate. Recent questions have emerged regarding requirements for a design approval holder to make ICA available to a maintenance provider/ repair station. It is not acceptable for a DAH to limit the distribution of ICA by imposing contractual requirements or adding restrictive language that would control the use of ICA by an owner/operator with respect to the maintenance of its product. You are invited to comment on the proposed policy addressing the actions of DAHs restricting the availability, distribution and use of ICAs, by submitting such written data, views or arguments. Your comments should specify “Policy Statement: PS-AIR-21.50-01, Inappropriate DAH Restrictions on the Use and Availability of ICA,” in the subject line. The director of the Aircraft Certification Service will consider all communications received on or be16 avionics news UnITED STATES fore the closing date before issuing the final document. Copies of the policy statement PS-AIR-21.50-01, Inappropriate DAH Restrictions on the Use and Availability of ICA, are available online at: www.faa.gov/aircraft/draft_ docs, and then select Policy. Comments must be received on or before Dec. 5, 2011. Send all comments on the proposed Policy Statement: PSAIR-21.50-01, Inappropriate DAH Restrictions on the Use and Availability of ICA to: Federal Aviation Administration, Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center, 6500 S. MacArthur Blvd., ARB--Room 308, Oklahoma City, OK 73169 (attention: John Cerra, AIR-110). You may electronically submit comments to john.cerra@faa.gov. Include in the subject line of your message the following: PS-AIR-21.50-01, Inappropriate DAH Restrictions on the Use and Availability of ICA. This is an extremely important policy statement that affects every AEA member company. The membership is encouraged to review and comment on the above draft policy. lightSquared On Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2011, Tim Taylor, president and chief executive officer of FreeFlight Systems of Irving, Texas, testified on behalf of the Aircraft Electronics Association before the U.S. House Committee on Small Business regarding the impact to the small business GPS user of the proposal from LightSquared. The AEA concluded that while we support the concept of a low-cost national wireless broadband system, no system, regardless of anticipated benefit, can be allowed to compromise the safety and security of the national air transportation system. Any proposed changes that affect the national air transportation system requires long range planning, and we en- • november 2011 http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/draft_docs http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/draft_docs

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Avionics News November 2011

Point of Communication
AEA Now
The View From Washington
International News and Regulatory Updates
EVS
Member Profile
High Plains Possibilities
Electronic Engine Instruments
A Conversation With...
Crisis Aloft?
Meet the AEA Board
Aviation Aces
Business Basics
Pro*to*col
Legal Ease
Advertisers Index
Theory & Practice
What's New
Marketplace Classifieds

Avionics News November 2011