SAA Technical gets FAA thumbs up

South African Airways Technical (SAAT) has been given an unqualified stamp of approval by the US Federal Administration Authority (FAA) following an independent re-audit of its maintenance facilities and manpower. The positive outcome of the re-audit has resulted in SAAT’s accreditation with the regulatory body being extended to end-July 2009. The FAA audit is undertaken annually and gauges SAAT’s ability to safely maintain the aircraft entrusted to it by a host of domestic, regional and international carriers, including those of South African Airways (SAA). The FAA undertook its annual inspection of SAAT’s facilities and capabilities in April this year and highlighted areas where corrective action was required. On their return in November for their followup audit, the FAA inspectors found all the issues previously raised had been addressed to their complete satisfaction.