Commercial aircraft parts distributor First Wave Aerospace, Tulsa, Okla., announces qualified Airbus parts are now available with FAA-8130-3 Tags for export.
First Wave Aerospace led the clarification effort in its region of a widely misinterpreted impression in the aerospace aftermarket and parts distribution industry that only the Production Approval Holder (PAH) could issue an export airworthiness approval. With the information from the Aviation Suppliers Association (ASA), of which First Wave is a long-time and accredited member, as well as its own research, including a Memorandum from the FAA in Washington, D.C, a deviation was effectively authorized that cleared the way to allow manufacturing Designated Airworthiness Representatives (DAR-F) to issue export approval 8130-3 forms.
Under United States law, an exporter of civil aviation components is not required to obtain an FAA export airworthiness approval tag (8130-3 tag) as a condition of export. Nonetheless, it is common practice for U.S. exporters to obtain 8130-3 tags for their exports of aviation parts. This practice has become much more commonplace in recent years for several reasons, according to First Wave Aerospace Vice President Glen Hyden: “Increased reliance on traceability in the aviation industry, makes traceability under FAA guidelines for issuance on an airworthiness certificate – the FAA Form 8130-3 – the Gold Standard that the aerospace aftermarket industry worldwide is demanding.” Also, he cites U.S. bilateral airworthiness safety agreements with major trading partners pledge to provide such documentation and Europe instituted new regulations (EASA 145.A.42) that require such documentation as a condition of receipt.
As result of the clarification, First Wave Aerospace now offers for export 8103-3 Tags on qualified Airbus parts issued by a DAR-F with Function Code 20 authority.
Tony McAnly, President of First Wave Aerospace, says this clarification, greatly aided by the efforts of ASA and the FAA in Washington, D.C. and Oklahoma City, removes an unnecessary export trade barrier for distributors and customers worldwide, of which the vast majority “plays by the rules and urgently need quality-made and maintained parts in approved quality systems.” He says the removal of this logjam frees up “thousands of qualified parts in new condition” in the First Wave Aerospace inventory that had been on indefinite hold due to this misinterpretations of FAA Order 8100.8D, which has now been clarified by the FAA.
According to company information, First Wave has more than 11,200 Airbus commercial parts in new condition for A300; A310; A319; A320; A330; and A340 aircraft, with the largest platform in the First Wave Aerospace inventory being the A320, which accounts for 78% of the firm’s Airbus inventory.