From the office of AMFA National Safety and Standards

Hearing on Adequacy of FAA Oversight of Passenger Aircraft Maintenance
Capitol Hill - April 11, 2002 by Frank Boksanske, AMFA National Safety and Standards Director

The purpose of the hearing was to examine the adequacy of FAA oversight of passenger aircraft maintenance and the safety of the nation�s airlines with a focus on the effectiveness of FAA�s new inspection system known as the Air Transportation Oversight System (ATOS).

A federal program currently has some air carriers auditing their own internal maintenance and inspection programs, which utilizes the Continuing Analysis and Surveillance System (CASS) to monitor the effectiveness of their aircraft maintenance and inspection program.

Under the new program, both the FAA and the aviation industry will rely on ATOS and CASS respectfully to ensure aircraft maintenance is performed properly.

The CASS program has been implemented at several of the largest carriers and allows the air carrier to oversee their own maintenance programs utilizing a data collection system.

http://www.amfa33.org/safety/index.htm