IFD540 Certification Status

It appears to be increasingly likely that a Congressional budget impasse may result in a partial government shutdown which will significantly impact FAA (with the exception of air traffic services) and essentially halt all activities performed by the office of Aviation Safety which includes Aircraft Certification Service (AIR) and Flight Standards (AFS). 

The FAA portion of a Department of Transportation plan on "operations during a lapse in annual appropriations" which provides provisions regarding the shutdown is attached for your information (the complete report is available at http://www.dot.gov/sites/dot.dev/files/docs/DOT%202014%20Plan%20for%20Approp%20Lapse.pdf)  The plan calls for the FAA office of aviation safety (AVS) to temporarily reduce its workforce from approximately 7,400 to just 310. 

I attended a meeting with FAA today where we were given more specific information on AIR and AFS plans.  Only those staff who perform tasks essential to“life and property” would be excepted from a shutdown furlough.  Essentially, Aircraft Certification would operate with approximately 100 employees and Flight Standards with 200 employees system-wide.  This is basically enough people to keep the lights on and ensure that FAA can respond to any safety issue that may occur and call-in additional staff as necessary. 

Type certification activities requiring FAA direct involvement will come to a complete halt with the exception of emergency ADs.  No FAA personnel will be able to support certification activities to include processing of applications, approval of certification plans, meetings/response to applicants/industry, and issuance of approvals/certificates (including airworthiness certificates).  Although the plan mentions that FAA would bring back additional parts of the aviation safety workforce after 2-weeks to better manage safety risk, this would be limited to certificate management safety oversight and COS activities and not include any type certification.  Previously approved certification plans and properly authorized delegation activities can continue as normal so long as direct FAA involvement is not necessary (i.e. approval, witness, etc).   

We will keep you apprised of any developments or changes in policy related to the impact this budget impasse has upon FAA's aircraft certification service and support for your type certification activities.