GAPSA attacks overly complex FAA regulatory changes.

MESA, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 22, 1995--The General Aviation Parts Suppliers Association (GAPSA), an industry group representing general aviation parts suppliers, recently held its second organizational meeting in Las Vegas.

The association formalized its mission statement, elected officers, and appointed action committees to study various aspects of general aviation. One committee was formed to study and act on proposed FAA rule changes that threaten general aviation. The GAPSA charter is to help represent general aviation in the rule making process, which is presently dominated by interests apparently indifferent or antagonistic to general aviation needs.

GAPSA's initial efforts are focused on newly proposed parts identification, traceability and eligibility rule changes. As general aviation professionals are becoming increasingly aware, these changes are causing massive confusion. Even large, well-established companies like Cessna Aircraft Co. seem to be having difficulty understanding and following the new rules.

As newly elected GAPSA President Karl Kern observed, "Several GAPSA members report receiving parts with improper airworthiness tags from Cessna. When contacted, Cessna personnel gave conflicting answers on why some tags are signed while others are not, and why tags are issued for parts intended for other manufacturer's aircraft.

"If Cessna, with their experience and connections to the rule-making process cannot get the system right, there is something wrong with the system. Fundamentally, what is wrong is the notion that part legitimacy can be ensured by creating a blizzard of paper. GAPSA is convinced that a simpler system that accommodates the needs of general aviation will be a better solution."

Again using Cessna as an example, one GAPSA member recently received a lot of 50 cotter pins from Cessna, each with its own 8130-3 airworthiness form.

GAPSA President Kern commented, "This example shows the kind of overreaction caused by the new rules. It also demonstrates how easy it would be for counterfeit producers to cheat the system; anyone can photocopy a tag from a legitimate part. Unfortunately, the new rules can, and have been, used as a weapon by manufacturers to intimidate people from buying from independent suppliers."

Kern stated, "GAPSA is concerned that millions of dollars of secondary market parts, originally shipped from manufacturers without 8130-3 tags, are threatened with invalidation by the new rules.

"Invalidation of these parts would cost suppliers millions in lost inventory and severely limit the supply of replacement parts, especially for older aircraft. Destroying inventory and grounding aircraft because of paperwork problems is not acceptable. GAPSA is dedicated to working with the system to find a more reasonable solution."

GAPSA is a non-profit organization dedicated to keeping its membership and the public informed on issues facing general aviation parts suppliers. For membership or other information, call GAPSA at 602/830-5672 or fax [phone].

CONTACT: The General Aviation Parts Suppliers Association

602/830-5672