The Transport Workers Union of America strongly supports a recent interpretation memo from the Federal Aviation Administration that requires the holder of a mechanic or repairman certificate to be physically present to supervise while aircraft maintenance work is being conducted by uncertified persons working under the certificate holder. 

This interpretation, laid out in a September 3rd memo from the FAA, closes existing compliance loopholes and also aims to rebuild the structure of effective enforcement, oversight and compliance verification from FAA inspectors.  

TWU Aircraft Maintenance Technicians learned hard lessons during the pandemic – namely that there is no replacement for in-person meetings and oversight – especially for dealing with highly sophisticated machines where there is no acceptable margin for error.  

There are serious limitations and security risks with remote, web-based communications. The FAA memo will increase the safety and effectiveness of aircraft maintenance and ensure that highly trained and licensed Aircraft Maintenance Technicians will have direct oversight of repair work – banning unsupervised, outsourced workers, often in foreign countries, from overseeing the work. 

“This interpretation is a crucial component for aviation safety and ensuring that airlines and their contractors maintain vigilant oversight,” said TWU Air Division Director Andre Sutton. “It will also help keep critical repair work in the United States done by hardworking and highly-trained TWU members.” 

The recent memo was issued in response to a 2022 request for clarification from the U.S. Flight Standards District Office in Little Rock, Arkansas. The request asked if a supervisor could oversee repair work remotely through a video software application like Zoom, a live video feed, photographs or other electronic means. The FAA’s Office of the Chief Counsel determined that the phrase “in-person” requires an explicit physical presence.  

“Virtual presence, through a live video feed or other technological means, cannot replace the physical presence of a supervising mechanic,” the FAA wrote in the memo.  

“The FAA made the right call for ensuring that aircraft maintenance is conducted and overseen by the workers with the greatest expertise and depth-of-knowledge,” said TWU Local 591 President Gary Schaible, who represents Aircraft Maintenance Technicians at American Airlines. “Trying to supervise repairs over a Zoom call is no substitute for the importance of in-person supervision.”  

The Transport Workers Union of America represents approximately 19,000 highly trained Aircraft Maintenance Technicians that conduct critical short and long-term repairs on commercial aircraft in the United States and across the world when called upon.