FAA RELEASES DRAFT AC ON AVIATION SAFETY ACTION PROGRAM (ASAP)

FAA RELEASES DRAFT AC ON AVIATION SAFETY ACTION PROGRAM (ASAP)

The FAA recently released a Draft Advisory Circular on Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP). Additionally, the FAA has included a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The FAA has extended the comment period to November 3, 2016.

Purpose. This advisory circular (AC) provides guidance for establishing an Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP). An ASAP encourages employees of certificate holders or other operators to voluntarily report safety information that may be critical to identifying potential precursors to accidents and also allows for safety issues to be resolved through corrective action rather than through punishment or discipline. An ASAP is based on a safety partnership that will include the FAA and the certificate holder, and may include a third party, such as the employee’s labor organization or safety organization serving as an ASAP facilitator.

Compliance and Application. Reports accepted into ASAP will continue to be processed in accordance with FAA Order 8900.1, Flight Standards Information Management System (FSIMS), Volume 11, Flight Standards Programs; and this AC. The Compliance Action Decision Process (CADP) will be the primary means of addressing all alleged, suspected, or identified instances of noncompliance for reports that are excluded from ASAP including violation of regulations and/or statutes as well as deviations from other established standards or procedures. Information obtained from ASAP will permit participants to identify actual or potential risks throughout their operations and implement corrective actions in order to reduce the potential for recurrence of accidents, incidents, and other safety-related events.

Changes. When finalized, this AC will replace AC 120-66B, Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP), dated November 15, 2002.

For more information, see AC 120-66C, Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP). If you have any questions or would like to comment on the AC or MOU, please contact Shelley Ewalt.

* * * * *

McBreen & Kopko’s Aviation Group represents air carriers, fixed base operators (FBOs), airport managers, aviation service providers, and business aircraft owners and operators on a wide range of aviation issues including regulatory matters, commercial transactions, aircraft finance matters, and bankruptcy and creditors’ rights.