![](media/image1.wmf){width="1.0027777777777778in"
height="1.023611111111111in"}

April 11, 2008

Stakeholders and Customers of the Fresno FSDO

**REQUIRED APPOINTMENTS AND CUSTOMER SERVICE**

Dear Operator, Agency, Airman, and General Public:

The Fresno FSDO personnel share your concern that we are no longer able
to provide the short notice service that we provided for so many years
in the past. The purpose of this letter is to inform you of the current
procedures for conducting business with the Fresno FSDO.

Under the National Security requirements, since September 2001,
customers must make appointments prior to visiting the FSDO. Anyone
without an appointment will NOT be allowed to enter the building. Please
call and make an appointment at (559) 454-0286. This will ensure our
availability to assist you with your concern and save you from having to
return at a later date. Customers may pick up forms and drop off
documents at the door without an appointment.

FAA wide reductions have impacted our office staffing level; therefore,
we had to establish work accomplishment priorities in order to ensure
that we maintain the appropriate level of safety in the aviation system.
Our first priority is, and must be, to provide safety oversight of the
aviation community in our district. Certification of new applicants,
issuance of airworthiness certifications and other on-demand work will
be accomplished in accordance with FAA National Policy and Guidelines as
resources are made available.

It is very important to applicants that the local FSDO can accept the
certification project as requested. The FAA's internal Certification
Service Oversight Process (CSOP) assures that sufficient and properly
trained FAA personnel are available for the certification at the local
FSDO. It is possible that the FAA field office identified by the
applicant will not be able to accept the certification.

At one time there were 29 Fresno FSDO employees. There are now 15
employees here to provide public services.

Organizational Chart:
<http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/field_offices/fsdo/fat/local_more/media/FAT_Org_Chart.pdf>

Office Directory:

<http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/field_offices/fsdo/fat/local_more/directory/>

These employees are still responsible for the same district area as
before. The complexity of their work has increased significantly with
new technology and changing FAA mandates. To meet the FAA Safety
Mission, employees are dispatched to the field more frequently to
conduct surveillance and investigations. The demand work of existing
operators supersedes conducting any certification work for new
operators.

The way the FAA supports existing operators is also changing. Even for
General Aviation Operators, the FAA uses System Safety and Risk Analysis
Processes for providing safety oversight. The adoption of a Safety
Management System (SMS) will be a requirement for all ICAO Air
Operators, under Annex 6, after January 2009. Advisory Circular (AC)
120-92, Introduction to Safety Management Systems for Air Operators, has
information on SMS.
[http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgAdvisoryCircular.nsf/0/6485143d5ec81aae8625719b0055c9e5/\$FILE/AC%20120-92.pdf](http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgAdvisoryCircular.nsf/0/6485143d5ec81aae8625719b0055c9e5/$FILE/AC 120-92.pdf)

The Safety Program responsibilities have been reassigned to the FAAST
team. The monthly Wings Meetings were replaced by Internet based safety
programs that will allow for Wings credit. The FAAST team has developed
new safety initiatives to enhance safety in all areas of aviation
including 133, 135, 137, 141, and 145: <http://www.faasafety.gov/>

For more information about the FAAST team, please contact Harlow
Voorhees at

\(559\) 454-0286, Ext. #248.

The services the Fresno FSDO provided on a short notice before need to
be put on a priority list. The priority number will be based on many
external and internal procedures. Generally, investigations will be
first priority, then inspections/surveillance, technical assistance and
finally new certifications.

The bottom line is that our office and you, our customers, need to plan
ahead in order to continue a smooth business relationship. For complex
and time consuming projects an advanced letter of intent is the best way
to communicate, so the request is documented and a scheduling priority
may be established.

The "Part 135: Adding Aircraft Checklist," is required to expedite that
procedure greatly. Flight Checks for FAR 135 pilots may be conducted
anytime during the three month period. It is recommended not to wait
until the grace month to schedule a check ride, as we may not be able to
meet your time schedule. These are just a few items available for your
use to help our workload and meeting your business needs.

Please help us help you. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Sheryl Hammans

Sheryl Hammans

Manager, Fresno FSDO

You may share your comments with us on the FAA Customer Feedback Survey,
[http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/afs/qms/]{.underline}