BRAZIL: FAA FLIGHT STANDARDS CONSULATIONS/ASSESSMENT

UNCLAS BRASILIA 000480 SIPDIS SENSITIVE FAA FOR API-1/AFS-50/AGC-7; DOT/OST FOR X45/C20 STATE FOR EEB/TRA JOHN BYERLY AND DAN MOORE, WHA/BSC, WHA/EPSC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAIR ECON BR SUBJECT: BRAZIL: FAA FLIGHT STANDARDS CONSULATIONS/ASSESSMENT SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED REF: A) STATE 35730 B) BRASILIA 386 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Per action request in reftel A, post held consultations with officials at Brazil's Civil Aviation Regulation Agency (ANAC) on April 14, 2009 and delivered a diplomatic note to Brazil's Ministry of External Relations (MRE) on April 16, 2009 to request formally a reassessment of GOB safety oversight under the FAA's IASA program to take place the week of May 18, 2009. In addition, post presented a letter from the FAA's Director of Flight Standards addressed to ANAC head Dr. Solange Paiva Vieira, who was traveling outside Brazil, to ANAC's Chief of Staff Waldin Rosa de Lima, per reftel A request, on April 14. Both agencies appeared comfortable with the language of the diplomatic note and the timing of the assessment. End summary ¶2. (SBU) ANAC's Rosa de Lima and its Director of Airworthiness and Safety, Claudio Passos Simao, reviewed the letter directed to President Vieira, the list of questions that will asked by FAA during the IASA reassessment, and the language of the diplomatic note during the April 14 meeting with econoff and post's FAA civil aviation specialist. Both accepted the proposed timing of the IASA reassessment and recognized FAA's safety concerns highlighted in the letter to President Vieira. Post provided a hardcopy of the IASA checklist to Director Passos and was told that it will serve as ANAC's guide in preparing for the reassessment. ANAC confirmed that the meetings will take place at ANAC's offices in Rio. ¶3. (SBU) On April 16, econcouns, econoff, and post's FAA civil aviation specialist met with MRE's U.S. Canada desk director Joao Tabajara, his assistant, second secretary Fabio Cordeiro, and third secretary Tatiana Barbosa from MRE's International Law Enforcement Compliance office. Post reps presented the diplomatic note and explained the mechanics of FAA's IASA assessment program. After successful delivery of the dip note, post sent an electronic copy to ANAC. ¶4. Comment: Post is pleased with GOB's agreement to the requested IASA dates, its recognition of FAA's safety concerns, and understanding of the assessment's mechanics. Post appreciates Washington offices' excellent support to post in this process. End comment SOBEL