David vs. Goliath

Over a year ago I wrote about the problem FAA certified repair station were having in obtaining maintenance manuals from aircraft manufacturers, Freedom of Maintenance Information. Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) in FAA parlance are the manuals required to maintain aircraft in an airworthy condition. The FAA requires anyone repairing an aircraft or an aircraft’s components do so in accordance with the ICA.

I just read the U.S. Southern District Court’s response to Gulfstream’s request to vacate the Court’s decision of a year ago in favor of CAMP Systems. It was amazing to me that Gulfstream would go back to the Court after reaching a settlement with CAMP following the Court’s earlier decision. Apparently the Court was just as taken back, writing in their opinion: If all vacatur does is slave a wounded ego, that would not advance the public’s interest. Granting Gulfstream’s motion here, for that mater would only create a precedent for more motions – thus wasting more judicial resources.

The court did not mention the wasting of company resources. Gulfstream apparently has plenty of resources to waste but almost all repair stations are small businesses that could never afford to take on giant Gulfstream and the other aircraft manufacturers. They all owe a vote of thanks to CAMP, which is also a small business, at least compared to General Dynamics, Gulfstream’s parent.