The Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA) is conducting an industry-wide survey to quantify the effect of aviation maintenance on the economy. The confidential, Web-based survey is open to ARSA members and non-members.

“Only if the maintenance industry understands itself will it be able to educate others,” executive director Sarah MacLeod said. “Aerospace is one of the economy’s most important sectors. The maintenance industry needs to know its true place in the economic picture.”

The General Economic Model Survey collects business and financial data–including labor and material costs, customer and aircraft types, service turnaround time, geographic operating regions, subcontracting practices, capital investments, sales, salaries and employment statistics–from maintenance providers. Most queries are classified by repair station rating. The survey does not ask respondents to register or to identify themselves or their companies. The association will publish the results and use the information to communicate the costs associated with regulatory compliance to policymakers and the public.

“We need at least 250 to 300 responses to have a statistically valid assessment,” MacLeod told AIN. “We want anyone associated with maintenance to go to our Web site, www.arsa.org, and take the survey.” ARSA has extended the survey beyond the May 31 deadline posted on the Web site.