Avionics News September 2022 - 17

I suggest we could use FAA Advisory Circular
145-10 Repair Station Training Program as a
model to get to know your surveyor/inspector
(and their background) as well as introduce them
to your repair station and its systems.
the surveyor/inspector. The relationship is one of " risk
management. " Our job is to perform maintenance in
accordance with the safety standards; their job is to
assure we have a system in place that assures the work
we do is to the published safety standards.
As a basic requirement, we know that no person
may operate in violation of their repair station
certificate, ratings, or operations specifications (14
CFR § 145.5(a)). We also know that a repair station
may perform maintenance, preventive maintenance, or
alterations in accordance with Part 43 on any article
for which it is rated and within the limitations in its
operations specifications (14 CFR § 145.201(a)(1)). In
addition, a repair station must follow its repair station
manual (14 CFR § 145.207(a)). And of course, to assure
airworthiness, a repair station must establish, maintain,
and follow a quality control system that ensures the
airworthiness of the articles on which the repair station,
or any of its contractors, performs work (14 CFR §
145.211 (a)/(b)).
Again, what does this have to do with workforce
development? I would suggest, everything!
Think about this. You have a new surveyor/inspector
who (1) may be new to the agency; (2) may be new to
general aviation; and (3) certainly new to you and your
operation. Their job is to oversee the repair station and
make a determination of compliance and perform a risk
assessment of your operation. You need to introduce
them to your organization, your operation, and your
personnel. So, while not an employee, you would use
the same tools to " get to know " your new inspector.
And, just like the effort to a new employee, this " getting
to know " someone is in essence, a needs assessment.
FAA Advisory Circular 145-5, Repair Station
Internal Evaluation Programs, states, " The basic tool
for accomplishing an evaluation is the audit. An audit
provides assurances that an organization's methods
conform to its requirements, and it assesses the
effectiveness of management controls. " The AC further
states that the first step is to understand the system.
I suggest we could use FAA Advisory Circular 14510
Repair Station Training Program as a model to get
to know your surveyor/inspector (and their background)
as well as introduce them to your repair station and its
systems.
Let's start with indoctrination training. The AC states,
" This is core training for all repair station personnel.
The scope and depth of indoctrination training may vary
based on the individual's assigned position. The repair
station should determine the level of indoctrination
training required for each job assignment... "
The AC suggests the following subject to consider; as
such, we will consider the applicability of each as part
of the introduction of a new inspector.
(1) CFR requirements, particularly those
associated with the repair station maintenance
functions and authority as reflected on the
certificate and operations specifications.
While it would be desirable for your surveyor/
inspector to be a subject-matter expert in the regulations,
that is not realistic. As such, getting to know your
inspector and their background may help you show
how you comply with the regulatory requirements of 14
CFR Parts 43 and 145. If your inspector's background
Continued on page 21
AVIONICS NEWS * SEPTEMBER 2022 17
Avionics News September 2022

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