Sat, Mar 05, 2011
Company To Re-Certify Its Repair Station Certificate
Phoenix Heliparts, Inc. (Phoenix) has reached a settlement
with the FAA in the company's appeal of the August 2010 revocation
of its repair station certificate. The agreement will allow the
company to start the re-certification process after February 28,
2011, six months earlier than provided in the FAA's order. In
return, the company withdrew the NTSB appeal that it filed last
September.
"This news is truly gratifying for all of us here," Tina Cannon,
Phoenix president, said. "The case is now closed and we look
forward to working closely with the FAA in the re-certification
process. We intend to bring fresh enthusiasm and dedication to our
loyal customers in America and around the world. We truly
appreciate their support throughout this ordeal."
Phoenix has continued its maintenance operations under the
individual certificates of its employees, as permitted under FAA
regulations. The FAA's allegations were based on events that
occurred in 2008 under previous management. Following the company's
move to a new, expanded location in 2010, and enhancements to its
procedures, the FAA re-evaluated Phoenix's repair station
operations and re-issue its repair station certificate reflecting
the operations in its new facilities. This would not have happened
unless Phoenix demonstrated that it was in full compliance with the
agency's requirements.
Unfortunately, the company's efforts did not prevent the FAA's
legal office from revoking Phoenix's repair station certificate
based on the 2008 allegations. "The federal government has
tremendous power and virtually unlimited resources," Cannon said.
"When it exercises its emergency powers, normal due process
protections are thrown out the window, as they were in this case.
Most companies are simply no match for the federal government,
particularly small businesses such as Phoenix Heliparts."
In settling the case, Phoenix admitted to no wrongdoing. In
fact, the company was looking forward to presenting its side of the
story to an NTSB law judge this spring. However, the high cost of
preparing for trial and the inevitable distractions to its business
convinced the company that it needed to re-focus all its energies
on obtaining re-certification.
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