Business aviation stakeholders and the FAA have teamed on a letter of authorization (LOA) streamlining initiative, it was announced this week at the 2019 NBAA International Operators Conference in San Francisco. This initiative aims to accelerate approvals that Part 91 operators need to use RVSM, RNP, CPDLC, MELs, and other core capabilities that stakeholders and the FAA call the "Big Ten.” The effort is focused on new aircraft, which lose key operational authorizations upon delivery.

For LOA approval, operators must show they meet equipage, procedures, and training requirements, but the problem is that no standardized application format exists. Under the initiative, OEMs are developing standardized statements of capability, training providers are working on a standardized training compliance matrix, and the FAA will adjust inspector guidance, said Fred Armstrong, the FAA's manager of performance-based flight systems. Additionally, upon electronic submission, the application will be available to all departments whose sign-off is required, replacing the prior sequential review process.

The current schedule calls for workshop meetings to resume in late March and continue through the year, followed by “change management execution.” LOAs take an average of six months for processing and have become a growing issue. The FAA reauthorization bill passed last year requires the agency to streamline its approval process.