America's airlines send planes to El Salvador, China for service by undertrained technicians

If you have your plane fixed in the USA, the FAA requires that your maintenance crew be proficient English (the language of aviation manuals), and that you admit FAA spot-inspectors at any time. But shift your maintenance to brand new facilities that were hastily spun up El Salvador, China and Mexico, FAA inspectors can only visit after applying for a visa and giving you lots of advance notice. (more…)