Sir - I refer to the article "Showdown looms on JAA rules" (Flight International, 5-11 April, P5). I am generally happy with my quotations, with the big exception of "the working group being split" on the supplementary stall-recognition system.
My comments were triggered by the statement that the European Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) McDonnell Douglas MD-90 team - in particular, the flight-test panel - is heavily UK Civil Aviation Authority-dominated.
My prime concern as a JAA project certification manager is to have people with good technical expertise and willingness to work in a team. I could not care less about the nationality of individual members
The panels of the various technical disciplines normally consist of two members from different national authorities. The JAA MD-90 flight-test panel happens to be a UK CAA and German LBA test crew. Their task is to establish a panel opinion on the technical issues, which then becomes the team position, if supported by other members and the manager. It is not relevant whether a properly justified team position is in line with a traditional national authority position, as long as it is endorsed by the national authorities according to JAA procedures.
Although it is not the case on the MD-90 SSRS issue, it is generally not unnatural that, in areas which require subjective judgement, there may be different points of view to start with. What really matters is to resolve them. Once this is achieved on the grounds of technical justification, I refute the idea of sticking national labels on the conclusions reached. If we are looking for emotions, let us get into show business.
JO KIMRNER
JAA MD-90-30 Project certification manager
Joint Aviation Authorities
Braunschweig, Germany
Source: Flight International
