Aircraft Maintenance Technology - 48

GAMA INSIGHT

Embracing Remote and
Virtual Assist Technologies
It is imperative that we
draw on the
resilience of
our industry
and the talent
and strength of
our industry's
phenomenal
workforce to
pave the way
for recovery.

By Pete Bunce

Pete Bunce is the
President and CEO
of GAMA, which
represents more than
100 of the world's
leading manufacturers
of general aviation
airplanes and
rotorcraft, engines,
avionics, components
and related services.

48

While the COVID-19 pandemic has created challenges for the general and business aviation industry, it has also created opportunities for improvement. Given
travel restrictions and social distancing recommendations, the need for the
use of remote and virtual assist technologies is ever more prevalent.
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association
(GAMA) has been pushing for the FAA to use these
technologies to improve efficiencies of certain inspections and tests throughout the industry. These technologies create opportunities to enhance safety oversight and improve overall processes as they offer new
perspectives during the examinations.
During the outset of the pandemic, the FAA published the long-awaited guidance regarding the use
of remote and virtual assistance technologies to support certain tests, inspections and oversight activities.
The FAA's Aircraft Certification Service (AIR) and the
Aircraft Flight Standards Service (AFS) each published
separate guidance documents to facilitate use and
support of remote technologies. Even though they were
both published as COVID-19 mitigation measures, they
have been in development for quite some time and are
guidance and policy documents that are in place on
a permanent basis.
The FAA AIR Policy Statement entitled "Use of
Remote Technology During the Performance of
Inspections and Tests" provides information on the
use of remote technology to perform prototype conformity inspections, engineering and ground tests,
engineering compliance inspections, production
conformity inspections and inspections for the issuance of an Authorized Release Certificate, FAA Form
8130-3, Airworthiness Approval Tag.
For clarification, the FAA also published a frequently
asked questions (FAQ) document detailing the scope of
applicability and limitations where remote technology
has proven to be challenging and often unacceptable
to the FAA. Of note, most tests and inspections must
be done in real-time, not previously recorded and
remote technologies are not to be used when a pilot/
crewmember is part of the evaluation. The entire FAQ
document can be found on the FAA's website under the
section titled "Information for Applicants and Design
Approval Holders."
In mid-April, the FAA AFS published an internal

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020	

memo for all Flight Standards Service employees
clarifying that the use of Video and Communication
Technology (VCT) is permitted and highlights the benefits of its voluntary use as cost effective, timely and
an efficient means to support internal and external
users. The memo specifically states that, "current FS
Orders and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
regulations do not prohibit FS or industry use of VCT
in fulfilling the requirements and no specific guidance
is necessary to enable its use."
These policies are a welcomed opportunity for both
the FAA and industry. The use of remote technologies
can be a safe and cost-effective option, which helps
improve certification or inspection timeliness and
reduce FAA and industry resource burdens. Even still,
as with any new policies, industry has been reporting
some challenges with its implementation - largely due
to lack of familiarization with the policy from both an
industry and FAA perspective.
GAMA has been working with its membership and
the FAA to provide feedback and examples of industry
practices in support of any future clarifying guidance
to facilitate practical application and use of remote
technologies. This feedback largely serves as a foundation for discussions between the FAA and applicants/
organizations to foster a common understanding. By
identifying the capabilities and limitations of these
technologies, we can make the needed adjustments to
better serve all sides. Ultimately, it is the applicant's or
certificate-holder's responsibility to comply with the
relevant regulations when using remote technologies.
It is encouraging that in the wake of this pandemic,
we can adopt changes that will help the industry in
both the short- and long-term. We applaud the FAA
for making these changes.
As we work to overcome the additional challenges
brought on by the pandemic, it is imperative that we
draw on the resilience of our industry and the talent
and strength of our industry's phenomenal workforce
to pave the way for recovery.

AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY
Aircraft Maintenance Technology

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