TSO deal recognizes transatlantic safety standards

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) recently applauded the signing into force of the Technical Standard Orders (TSOs) agreement between the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Commission (EC).

The agreement reflects the recognition and appreciation of the high safety standards of both the US and the EU.

“Today’s exchange of signatures […] represents a significant step forward in the partnership between these two leading safety authorities,” comments GAMA President & CEO Pete Bunce.

According to a GAMA statement, Technical Standard Orders and European Technical Standard Orders (ETSOs) are an agreed-upon set of requirements to authorize components such as radios, GPSs, and transponders. The agreement, which falls under the broader EU-US Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement, removes repetitive oversight by no longer requiring manufacturers to apply for a comparable authorization by the second authority. The agreement entered into force upon the exchange of signatures in Brussels mid last week.

Bunce is convinced this agreement will result into an increase in the availability and consequent appreciation of modern avionics in GA cockpits, in particular.

“This is the first step in a longer process of maximizing the use of our bilateral agreements, with authorities freeing up their limited resources to focus on pressing safety issues, and simultaneously facilitating our manufacturers’ development of innovative, safer technologies,” he adds.