The FAA has extended the comment period for a draft advisory circular (AC) on establishing a fatigue risk management program for aircraft maintainers. Comments are now due Monday, May 2, 2016.

The agency in recent years has recognized that fatigue among maintenance technicians is as significant a risk factor as it is among pilots. In a fatal air tour accident a few years ago, maintainers’ fatigue was cited as a contributing factor.

An initial review of the AC indicates that it is well written, but HAI’s operations department will perform a more detailed analysis and submit comments before the new deadline. HAI urges those members with maintenance operations to do the same.