More regulatory news to share... as the FAA ruled this week that repair data for small general-aviation aircraft seldom requires field approval.

In its notice to aviation safety inspectors, the FAA states pilots and inspectors may use a manufacturer's repair or service data as FAA-approved data for major repairs on airplanes by authorized persons, without the need for a field inspection of the work by the FAA afterward.

The agency says the move is due to the reliable service experience provided when using the original manufacturer's data for small airplanes. The ruling affects non-pressurized planes, less than 12,500 pounds maximum takeoff weight, and were certified prior to January 1980.

News of the decision was met with approval by the Aircraft Electronics Association.

"The AEA commends the Agency for this progressive policy," said the organization, "which will significantly reduce the administrative burden experienced by small aircraft maintenance providers in field approving OEM repair data."

The instructions for citing the "approved" OEM repair data are contained in the FAA Notice.

FMI: www.faa.gov, www.aea.net