New legislation set to change FAA’s oversight of foreign repair stations

A new legislation has been proposed by the chairman of the US House Transportation Committee that would change the Federal Aviation Authority’s (FAA) oversight of foreign repair stations. For many years, unions representing US mechanics and aviation safety inspectors have complained about the issue of outsourcing jobs to countries with weaker safety standards. Currently, the FAA cannot inspect foreign facilities without prior notification; and not all countries require adequate background checks and drug tests for safety-critical personnel. Peter DeFazio (D-Oregon), chairman of the Transportation Committee and lead-sponsor of the legislation, said: “For years, I’ve pressed FAA officials to heed the warnings