Aeronautical Repair Station Association

What Aeronautical Repair Station Association does

The Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA) is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit trade association founded in the early 1980s (incorporated in Virginia; headquartered at 121 North Henry Street, Alexandria, VA) that serves as the representative body for the global civil aviation maintenance industry. Its core constituency consists of FAA-certificated repair stations operating under 14 CFR Part 145 and their international counterparts certificated by ANAC, CAAC, CASA, DGAC, EASA, TCCA, UK CAA, and other civil aviation authorities; membership totals more than 400 companies ranging from single-shop independents to global MRO operators such as Chromalloy, Lufthansa Technik, AAR Corp., HEICO, HAECO Group, and NORDAM. ARSA delivers regulatory compliance assistance, legislative advocacy before the U.S. Congress and federal agencies, professional training, industry publications, and market intelligence.

ARSA's product portfolio comprises tiered membership subscriptions (Regular tiers from $600 to $5,000 annually; Associate at $3,600; Enterprise at $20,000; Affiliate at $500; Educational/Military at $100), paid training delivered through the PotomacLaw.InreachCE.com platform ($75–$300 member rates for live/on-demand sessions), model manuals and EASA/Canadian supplements, SMS tools co-administered with the Aircraft Electronics Association, the Foreign D&A Compliance Toolkit, and an annual conference in Arlington, VA/Washington D.C. that generates revenue through registrations ($450–$4,200) and tiered sponsorships ($3,500–$15,000). Recurring communications include the weekly ARSA Dispatch (3,000+ subscribers), the Daily Intelligence briefing, and the members-only monthly 'the hotline.' ARSA is operationally managed by the law firm Obadal, Filler, MacLeod & Klein, P.L.C., which provides embedded regulatory, legal, and government affairs expertise. The association pairs with Oliver Wyman Vector to publish annual Global Fleet & MRO Market Forecasts. The combination of regulatory moat, embedded legal infrastructure, and global member network underpins a stable, diversified subscription-driven revenue base.

Name

Aeronautical Repair Station Association

Legal name

Aeronautical Repair Station Association

Website

https://arsa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Aeronautical Repair Station Association is a 501(c)(6) trade association representing 400+ FAA- and internationally-certificated aviation maintenance organizations worldwide, providing regulatory advocacy, compliance training, model manuals, and legislative representation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aviation Trade Association Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

International Standards, Norms & Technical Regulatory Bodies (BPADAAAJ)

Keywords

• Aviation maintenance services
• Regulatory advocacy
• Compliance training
• Membership association
• Legislative representation

Headquarters

HQ city

Alexandria

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: ARSA's primary revenue stream consists of annual membership dues paid by repair stations, associate organizations, enterprises, individuals, and educational/military entities. Dues range from $100 to $20,000 per year depending on category and company size. Note: 20% of dues are earmarked for lobbying activities and are not tax-deductible.
2. Training Fees: ARSA generates revenue from online and in-person training sessions. Standard one-hour sessions are priced at $75 for members and $150 for non-members. Four-hour sessions (e.g., 'Complying with Part 145 - Soup to Nuts') are $300 for members and $600 for non-members. Bulk training hour subscriptions are also available. Refunds are not offered.
3. Annual Conference Revenue: Registration fees for the ARSA Annual Conference (held in Arlington, VA / Washington D.C. with livestream options) range from $450 (Legislative Day, member) to $4,200 (Super Bundle). Event sponsorships at Administratium ($15,000), Platinum ($10,000), Gold ($7,500), Silver ($3,500), and other tiers generate significant revenue.
4. Publications and Advertising: ARSA sells publications (model manuals, compliance supplements, RSQM compilations) and generates revenue from advertising placements in its newsletters ('The Dispatch', 'the hotline') and other periodicals. Invoice types include: Advertising Placement, Annual Conference, Annual Membership Dues, Training Subscription, RSQM Compilation.
5. Periodical Subscriptions: While 'The Dispatch' is free to subscribe, ARSA's monthly members-only publication 'the hotline' is a copyrighted resource exclusively for ARSA members and federal employees on the mailing list. It serves as a valued member benefit and contributes to member retention.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

ARSA is a 501(c)(6) trade association that provides regulatory compliance assistance, legislative advocacy, compliance training, model manuals, and industry publications to more than 400 member companies in the global civil aviation maintenance industry. Its core, fee-paid offerings include tiered annual membership, online and in-person regulatory training courses, the annual conference, sponsored Leadership Roundtables, model manuals and EASA/Canadian compliance supplements, the foreign Drug & Alcohol Compliance Toolkit, and annual Global Fleet & MRO Market Forecasts produced with Oliver Wyman Vector.

Product overview

The Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA) is a trade association representing the global civil aviation maintenance industry. ARSA offers a comprehensive suite of membership-based services including regulatory compliance assistance, legislative advocacy, professional training programs, and industry publications. The core membership product provides access to regulatory expertise through the Ask ARSA inquiry system, while the training program offers online and in-person courses covering 14 CFR parts 21, 43, 65, and 145 requirements. ARSA publishes multiple periodicals (The Daily Intelligence, The Dispatch newsletter, and the members-only hotline), produces an annual conference, and provides specialized resources including the Foreign D&A Compliance Toolkit, SMS Program tools, and model compliance manuals. The association also conducts economic research through a partnership with Oliver Wyman Vector and operates ARSA PAC for political advocacy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ARSA Membership Tiered annual membership (Regular, Associate, Enterprise, Affiliate, Educational/Military) providing regulatory compliance assistance, legislative advocacy, member-only publications, training discounts, and access to industry expertise for FAA, EASA, TCCA, UK CAA, and other civil aviation authority-certificated maintenance organizations.
• ARSA Training Program Online and in-person training courses covering 14 CFR Parts 21, 43, 65, and 145; human factors (Dirty Dozen in Depth); recordkeeping; drug and alcohol testing; Safety Management Systems; and international regulatory law. Includes live and on-demand sessions via PotomacLaw.InreachCE.com, with 1-hour and 4-hour formats and IA renewal credit, plus private/tailored on-site training.
• Publications & Model Manuals Model manuals, programs, RSQM compilations, and supplements (including EASA and Canadian supplements) designed to assist aviation maintenance companies with regulatory compliance. Sold through arsa.org with order forms available.
• ARSA SMS Program Safety Management System (SMS) tools and training provided in partnership with the Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA). Includes co-administered SMS training sessions and member access to AEA's SMS implementation resources.
• Foreign D&A Compliance Toolkit Drug and alcohol testing compliance toolkit for foreign ARSA members (excluding Canada), helping them adhere to international aviation regulatory frameworks and bilateral requirements.
• ARSA Annual Conference Week-long annual event held in Arlington, VA / Washington D.C. in March, combining Executive-to-Executive briefings, Legislative Day with congressional meetings, Annual Repair Symposium, and Member Day. Available in-person and via livestream with tiered registration (Legislative Day, Symposium, Super Bundle) and sponsorship packages.
• ARSA Regulatory Services Regulatory compliance and advocacy services including filing of petitions, amicus briefs, advisory circular analysis, comments on proposed rulemakings (FAA, EASA, TSA, TCCA, UK CAA), and engagement in working groups. Delivered through OFM&K staff.
• ARSA Legislative Program Legislative advocacy and representation on Capitol Hill, including monitoring legislation, meeting with lawmakers, supporting grassroots action, and operating ARSA PAC for contributions to supportive U.S. House and Senate candidates.
• Global Fleet & MRO Market Forecasts Annual economic research reports prepared in partnership with Oliver Wyman Vector, providing global maintenance, repair, and overhaul market forecasts and industry economic footprint analysis. Public executive summaries and member-only full reports.
• Leadership Roundtables Annual in-person collaboration convened each October since 2018, bringing together the ARSA board, FAA, EASA, and allied aviation organization representatives for industry updates and substantive regulatory discussion.
• Tuition Reduction Program Member benefit offering tuition discounts to ARSA member contacts and their families (spouses, domestic partners, parents, siblings, children) for over 100 programs including aviation and business degrees.

Quantifiable outcome

• ARSA's advocacy has influenced FAA policy changes including suspension of problematic Part 43 interpretation (October 2024), withdrawal of proposed rulemakings, and numerous clarifications of recordkeeping, drug & alcohol testing, and certification guidance.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerARSA and AEA are longtime allies that co-administer Safety Management System (SMS) training sessions and provide AEA's SMS tools as a member benefit. Both associations also collaborate on regulatory advocacy, including joint comments to FAA and EASA on rulemaking proposals. The partnership was formalized through a partnership agreement and is actively promoted at ARSA events.
• Oliver Wyman VectorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerARSA partners with Oliver Wyman Vector to produce annual Global Fleet & MRO Market Forecasts, providing members and the industry with the highest-quality analysis of global economic data and insight into developing trends. Oliver Wyman Vector is part of the Oliver Wyman Transportation and Services Practice. ARSA publishes executive summaries of these reports publicly while full reports are available to members. Leaders from Oliver Wyman Vector present findings at ARSA's Annual Conference.
• Obadal, Filler, MacLeod & Klein, P.L.C. (OFM&K)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOFM&K serves as ARSA's management firm, providing association management, government affairs, and legal services. The firm delivers all ARSA training sessions through PotomacLaw.InreachCE.com and employs ARSA's staff (Sarah MacLeod, Marshall S. Filler, Christian A. Klein, Kimberly Dimmick, Brett Levanto, Michael O'Born). OFM&K also handles tailored/private training engagements with attorney-client privilege.
• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerARSA engages regularly with the FAA across multiple fronts: regulatory comments and petitions, participation in FAA/EASA International Safety Conferences, FAA Flight Standards Service meetings, and regulatory working groups. The FAA recognizes ARSA as the voice of the aviation maintenance industry and regularly responds to ARSA's formal submissions.
• European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerARSA works with EASA on regulatory harmonization, bilateral agreement implementation (U.S.-EU MAG), and international safety conference co-hosting. EASA representatives participate in ARSA's Annual Conference 'Opening Salvo' session and Leadership Roundtables. ARSA maintains an EASA Washington Representative.
• U.S.-EASA Bilateral Agreement (Maintenance Annex Guidance)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerARSA provides the industry voice in bilateral discussions between the FAA and EASA regarding the U.S.-EU Maintenance Annex Guidance (MAG). ARSA developed and maintains model EASA supplements for FAA-certificated repair stations seeking EASA Part 145 certification. ARSA has advocated for changes to bilateral parts documentation requirements.
• Choose AerospaceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChoose Aerospace (organized in 2020) is a non-profit partnership providing resources to improve the availability of a diverse, qualified technical workforce. ARSA participates in the organization's industry collaboration. Choose Aerospace's high school curriculum program has reached almost 1,500 students. ARSA Director Crystal Maguire serves as Choose Aerospace Executive Director.
• Leadership Roundtables Allied OrganizationsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerARSA's annual Leadership Roundtables include participation from: Aerospace Industries Association, Airlines for America, Aviation Suppliers Association, Aviation Technician Education Council, The Boeing Company, Cargo Airline Association, General Aviation Manufacturers Association, International Air Transport Association, Modification and Replacement Parts Association, National Air Transportation Association, NORDAM, Raytheon Technologies Corporation, Regional Air Cargo Carriers Association. These organizations collaborate on industry-wide regulatory and policy positions.
• U.S. Civil Aviation Authorities (TCCA, UK CAA, ANAC, CASA, CAAC, CAAT, CAAP, DCCA, DGAC, DGCA, LBA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerARSA supports members certificated by or applying to civil aviation authorities including Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), UK Civil Aviation Authority, ANAC Brazil, CASA Australia, CAAC China, CAAT Thailand, CAAP Philippines, DCAA Dubai, DGAC France, DGCA India, and LBA Germany. ARSA publishes Canadian and EASA supplements, maintains bilateral agreement expertise, and advocates for consistent international regulatory treatment.
• HEICOminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHEICO is a documentary sponsor of ARSA's 'You Can't Fly Without Us' film and 2026 Government Affairs Chairman (Alex De Gunten, VP of Government & Industry Affairs) is affiliated with HEICO.
• HAECO GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHAECO Group is a documentary sponsor of ARSA's 'You Can't Fly Without Us' film. Bob Mabe of HAECO Americas serves as ARSA 2025 President.
• Lufthansa TechnikminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLufthansa Technik is a documentary sponsor of ARSA's 'You Can't Fly Without Us' film and is represented on the ARSA Board of Directors.
• COOPESAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCOOPESA is a documentary sponsor of ARSA's 'You Can't Fly Without Us' film.
• Airlines for America, Alaska Air Carriers Association, ATEC, Vertical Aviation International, Professional Aviation Maintenance AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMembers of these allied associations receive ARSA member pricing for training sessions. These reciprocal arrangements expand ARSA's reach into adjacent aviation industry segments and provide cross-promotional benefits.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA): AEA is the closest direct peer—another small, niche U.S. aviation trade association serving avionics repair stations. ARSA and AEA co-administer SMS training, share SMS tools, and collaborate on FAA/EASA advocacy, making them functional allies with overlapping constituencies.
• National Air Transportation Association (NATA): NATA represents aviation businesses including FBOs and maintenance providers. It operates the same trade-association model (dues, advocacy, training, conferences) and is a recurring ARSA Leadership Roundtable participant addressing overlapping MRO regulatory issues.
• Aviation Suppliers Association (ASA): ASA is a U.S.-based trade association serving aviation parts suppliers and distributors. It shares ARSA's regulatory advocacy model around FAA quality and certification, and its members often appear on ARSA Leadership Roundtable participant lists as allied organizations.
• Vertical Aviation International (VAI): VAI (formerly Helicopter Association International) is a niche aviation trade association. ARSA extends member pricing to VAI members, signaling programmatic overlap between helicopter and fixed-wing maintenance advocacy.
• Modification and Replacement Parts Association (MARPA): MARPA represents organizations producing PMA and replacement parts—an adjacency to ARSA's repair-station constituency. It participates in ARSA Leadership Roundtables and shares a regulatory advocacy model focused on FAA approval pathways.
• Aviation Technician Education Council (ATEC): ATEC focuses on aviation maintenance technician education and workforce pipelines—directly aligned with ARSA's workforce-development mission and the Choose Aerospace curriculum. ARSA extends member training pricing to ATEC members.

Broad incumbents

• Airlines for America (A4A): A4A is the major U.S. airline trade association with materially greater resources than ARSA. It is a broader incumbent in adjacent civil-aviation advocacy, and ARSA extends reciprocal member pricing to A4A members.
• Aerospace Industries Association (AIA): AIA is the largest U.S. aerospace manufacturers trade association with materially greater resources. It is a broader incumbent serving overlapping civil-aviation regulatory interests and participates in ARSA Leadership Roundtables.
• International Air Transport Association (IATA): IATA is the global airline trade association with significantly larger resources and global reach. It is a broad incumbent in civil aviation standards and participates in ARSA's Leadership Roundtables on international regulatory harmonization.
• General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA): GAMA represents general aviation manufacturers and participates in ARSA Leadership Roundtables. It is a broader aerospace trade body with overlapping technical and regulatory interests in civil aviation maintenance.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ARSAWorks
• Facebookfacebook.com/AeronauticalRepairStationAssociation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aeronautical-repair-station-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Aeronautical Repair Station Association