MRO service provider AAR has become the first MRO operator to agree to share safety information voluntarily with the FAA under a new program. AAR recently signed on to participate in the FAA’s Aviation Safety Information Analysis and Sharing (Asias) program, which is designed to help MRO operators avoid serious and potentially costly safety issues and to help the FAA identify high-risk areas.

“The FAA is pleased to have AAR launch the Asias program among MROs,” said Steven Douglas, manager of the FAA’s aircraft maintenance division. “We believe that sharing and analyzing safety data are important for the aviation industry as a whole.

“We understand that voluntary reporting is critical to overall safety in the aviation industry and are excited to partner with the FAA’s efforts,” said Art Smith, AAR vice president and chief quality officer. “Although we are now officially signed on to the Asias program, our customers and other partners know that AAR has long had a culture and practice of sharing safety information.”