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2.7.2.1.2 In accordance with 5 U.S.C. § 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51, the FAA makes the Mechanic ACS reasonably available to interested parties. The FAA provides free online public access to view read-only copies of the Mechanic ACS that is incorporated by reference. The Mechanic ACS is available to the public for free viewing online on the ACS web page at https://www.faa.gov/training_test ing/testing/acs. In addition to the free online availability of this material for viewing on the FAA’s website, hard copies and printable versions are available from the FAA.
2.7.2.2 Aligning the Curriculum with the ACS. As previously discussed, the Mechanic ACS includes high-level subjects (e.g., Fundamentals of Electricity and Electronics, Aircraft Drawings, etc.), and then breaks the high-level subjects into components that include knowledge, risk management, and skill elements relevant to that subject. The knowledge, risk management, and skill elements set forth the standards for certification. Because § 147.17(a)(1) requires a curriculum to align with the Mechanic ACS, the curriculum must align with the standards set forth under the high-level subjects.
2.7.2.2.1 An AMTS will be in compliance with § 147.17(a)(1) if the school designs its curriculum to include:
• The high-level subjects that are listed in the Mechanic ACS; and
• Broader course content items, concepts, and practical projects under each high-level subject, which may encompass several of the more detailed knowledge, risk management, and skill elements listed in the ACS. For example, one broad course content item in the curriculum may encompass several knowledge elements listed in the ACS, while still aligning with the ACS. Similarly, a school could develop a curriculum that includes more content than the ACS, and still be in alignment with the ACS.
Note: While a curriculum must align with the high-level subjects and the standards set forth under those subjects, this does not mean that an AMTS must copy and paste the entirety of the Mechanic ACS into its curriculum. The intent of the regulation is to remove the prescriptive curriculum requirements from part 147 and provide a more flexible, performance-based standard that enables an AMTS to develop a curriculum that coincides with the Mechanic ACS.
2.7.2.2.2 If the curriculum does not align with the knowledge and skill elements contained in the Mechanic ACS, the school would also be in violation of the § 147.17(a)(3) training requirement because the Mechanic ACS contains the knowledge and skill standards that will be evaluated on the FAA written, oral, and practical tests for a mechanic certificate under part 65.
2.7.2.2.3 The curriculum must provide the opportunity for the student to obtain and demonstrate skill, as will be required during mechanic certification testing and expected following certificate issuance. Skill components of the ACS which
2-22 specify the applicant demonstrate the ability to perform an action related to a subject area element should be included into the AMTS curriculum as practical projects with defined performance criteria and outcomes.
2.7.2.3 Curriculum Document Design. The regulation does not require a specific design/format for a curriculum. Based on the ratings issued to the AMTS, the AMTS has the flexibility to design its curriculum document structure as desired. The school can only issue a certificate of completion for a completed curriculum, which correspond to the AMTS ratings. The AMTS ratings, curriculum design, and the graduation/completion document issued by the AMTS will affect at what point a student may be eligible to take the FAA written, oral, and practical exams.
2.7.2.4 Examples of Curriculum Document Design. Examples of possible curriculum document design have been included in Table 2-1 below. There may be additional possibilities that have not been included in the table. The left column reflects the ratings referenced in § 147.11. The middle columns show the possible curriculum designs, standalone or combined. The three columns preceding the “General Early Testing” column show the graduation document (or completion document) a school can issue after the appropriate curriculum is completed. For the last column, please refer to the footnote.
2-23 Table 2-1. Curriculum Design Examples If the AMTS holds this rating… And curriculum document design is in this format… Then the AMTS may issue completion documentation referencing the following curriculum… Airframe (A) Powerplant (P) General (G) Airframe + General (A+G) Powerplant + General (P+G) Combined (A+P+G) Airframe (A) Powerplant (P) A & P (single certificate) General (early testing) Airframe & Powerplant X X X X X[1] X Airframe X X X X Powerplant X X X X [1] A “general” curriculum completion document should only be issued if the AMTS can clearly document completion of the general content of its curriculum.
2.7.2.5 Additional Curriculum Content. The requirement that curriculum content align with the Mechanic ACS is a minimum standard. AMTSs may include additional content in their curriculum that is above and beyond what is included in the Mechanic ACS.
2.7.2.5.1 Safety Information. The aviation maintenance environment can be dangerous, especially to those who are not knowledgeable of its hazards and risk. The FAA recommends that AMTS integrate additional safety policy and procedures referenced in paragraph 2.6.1 into its curriculum document(s).
Results of AMTS risk mitigations, such as safety briefings or references to appropriate safety procedures, should be included in the AMTS curriculum or otherwise be readily available to instructors and students to increase safety awareness prior to high risk training operations.
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2.7.2.5.2 Tests/Evaluations. AMTS may choose to include information in the curriculum on the tests and/or other evaluations that are related to the subjects in the curriculum.
2.7.2.5.3 Practical Project Information. AMTS may choose to include additional information in their curriculum related to practical projects, such as performance criteria, tools and equipment required for the project, and safety information.
2.7.3 Revisions to the Curriculum.
2.7.3.1 Section 147.17(a)(1) requires AMTS curriculum to align with the ACS.
Therefore, when the Mechanic ACS is revised, a corresponding revision to the AMTS curriculum must also be made, no later than the effective date of the change to those standards.
2.7.3.2 The curriculum document(s) should use a method to identify revisions to the curriculum, such as a revision level and date, change bars, and/or LEP.
2.7.3.3 There is no requirement for the school to submit a revised curriculum to the FAA for review; however, the requirement to maintain the curriculum aligned with the Mechanic ACS is ongoing. Therefore, AMTSs are encouraged to communicate curriculum changes with the FAA certificate management team, and the FAA will conduct routine surveillance on AMTS curriculum to ensure continued alignment with the Mechanic ACS.
2.8 Facilities, Equipment, and Materials. Under § 147.13, each AMTS must provide and maintain the facilities, equipment, and materials that are appropriate to the rating or ratings held by the school and the number of students taught. The term “appropriate” means that the facilities, equipment, and materials provide a safe and suitable learning environment that results in the ability to meet the training requirements of § 147.17 (see paragraph 2.6). If certain facilities, equipment, and materials are essential to support the school’s curriculum, then the school must have those facilities, equipment, and materials.
To illustrate, if the curriculum includes a skill requirement that an applicant must perform on a specific piece of equipment, the school must have that piece of equipment
(e.g., where a school’s curriculum requires a student to be able to perform a skill requirement to service a battery, the school must have an aircraft battery in a condition that will allow a student to demonstrate the appropriate servicing requirements in order to be considered to have equipment appropriate to the rating).
Note: The safety of students is of utmost importance. Aircraft maintenance tasks can be dangerous and schools must ensure their facilities, equipment, and materials prevent injury or death in the learning environment.
2.8.1 AMTS Facilities. The AMTS must provide an environment suitable for learning to ensure that learning objectives set forth in § 147.17 are met. Considerations should include:
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• Distractions from learning, such as excessive noise, dust and fumes (poor ventilation), heat and cold (temperature control), and clutter should be considered. For example, classrooms should be separated from the noise and activity of shop and/or hangar environments.
• Facilities should be of adequate size for the number of students in a classroom, or accomplishing any of the laboratory or shop projects as appropriate to the school’s instructional design (e.g., a certain area or piece of equipment cannot accommodate a large number of students, but the school’s instructional design ensures it is used by small groups of students at different times).
• Facilities should be located and classes scheduled so that students can travel between classes without cutting into instructional time.
• The school should ensure the laboratory and shop floors are free from clutter, such as extension cords and air hoses.
Note: All school facilities must conform to any local, state, and Federal standards including those imposed by local fire departments, health agencies, and other regulatory agencies. Discussion of those requirements is beyond the scope of this AC.
2.8.1.1 Facility Description. AMTS OpSpecs will include a description of the facilities that will be used for instruction, as required by § 147.5(b)(1). The description must be detailed enough to demonstrate that the AMTS can provide and maintain facilities that are appropriate to the rating or ratings requested, and the number of students taught.
Note 1: The facility description discussed above may be included in the OpSpecs by reference to a document provided by the AMTS, rather than including the description directly into the body of the OpSpec. In these instances, the document’s title, revision level, and revision date will be listed in the OpSpec, and the FAA will retain a copy of the document.
Note 2: It is recommended that the AMTS provide the FAA with a detailed drawing showing the layout and dimensions of the facilities.
See Appendix C, Sample Layout Facility.
2.8.1.2 Additional Training Locations. Facility descriptions must be included for each additional training location. The facilities of each additional training location must meet the requirements of part 147 and be listed in the AMTS OpSpecs, pursuant to § 147.15.
Note: Sometimes a course of study may be offered at a separate facility due to standards from local, state, and Federal codes that the primary AMTS facility cannot meet (e.g., requirements relating to operation of aircraft and associated noise, fire, and safety hazards). If
2-26 the AMTS will instruct curriculum content at a separate facility, then the AMTS must consider this an additional training location.
2.8.2 AMTSs Equipment. AMTS equipment includes, but is not limited to, shop equipment, tools (including hand tools), and instructional aids such as aircraft, aircraft components, and mock-ups used for learning. The AMTS must provide equipment suitable for learning to ensure that learning objectives set forth in § 147.17 are met.
2.8.2.1 Shop Equipment. AMTS should consider the following guidelines for shop equipment:
• Have enough shop equipment in place and in satisfactory operating condition to adequately serve the student enrollment and support intended curriculum learning outcomes.
• Maintain an adequate ratio of instructional aids-to-students in each shop class to ensure safety and facilitates learning.
• Shop equipment should be maintained in good working order and be in a condition for safe operation. A system should be in place for routine preventive maintenance and/or replacement.
• Large standing equipment should be securely installed and located to provide sufficient aisle space so students can move about freely.
2.8.2.2 Tools. The AMTS should provide any necessary tools required to provide appropriate instruction. The tools should be in satisfactory working condition and of the proper kind for the purpose for which they are intended. The AMTS should either provide common hand tools or require students to furnish their own.
2.8.2.3 Instructional Aids. The instructional aids should be appropriate for the scope and depth of the school’s curriculum. The AMTS should ensure the complexity of instructional aids is appropriate to the level of knowledge and skill outcome of the subject element. The AMTS should maintain a ratio of instructional aids-to-students, which ensures safety and facilitates learning.
Broken or deteriorated instructional aids should be repaired or replaced.
Examples of instructional aids include:
• Diagrams;
• Visual aids;
• Computers;
• Interactive software;
• Aircraft and mock-ups of aircraft;
• Engines and engine accessories; and
• Components, such as hydraulic servos, accumulators, etc.
2-27 Note: Part 147 does not require that each school have at least one aircraft currently certificated by FAA for private or commercial operations with powerplant, propeller, instruments, navigation and communications equipment, landing lights, and other equipment and accessories on which a maintenance technician might be required to work and with which the technician should be familiar. However, an aircraft can often provide an all-in-one instructional aid opportunity and can assist in familiarizing students with the real-world aircraft maintenance environment.
2.8.2.4 Sharing Training Equipment. Sharing of training equipment is acceptable among locations of an AMTS as long as equipment is available when needed to deliver the school’s curriculum.
2.8.2.5 Equipment Description. The AMTS OpSpecs will include a description of the equipment that will be used for instruction as required by § 147.5(b)(1).
The description must be detailed enough to demonstrate that the AMTS will provide and maintain equipment that is appropriate to the rating or ratings requested/issued, and the number of students taught. Descriptions must be provided to the FAA relative to equipment located at each training location of the AMTS.
Note: The equipment description discussed above may be included in the OpSpecs by reference to a document provided by the AMTS, rather than including the description directly into the body of the OpSpec. In these instances, the document’s title, revision level, and revision date will be listed in the OpSpec, and the FAA will retain a copy of the document.
2.8.3 AMTS Materials. The AMTS must describe the materials to be used for instruction. The school must have sufficient materials in stock and properly stored to provide for the student enrollment.
2.8.3.1 Materials Description. The AMTS OpSpecs will include a description of the materials that will be used for instruction as required by § 147.5(b)(1). The description must be detailed enough to demonstrate that the AMTS can provide and maintain materials that are appropriate to the rating or ratings requested and the number of students taught. Descriptions must be provided to the FAA for materials located at each training location of the AMTS.
Note: The materials description discussed above may be included in the OpSpecs by reference to a document provided by the AMTS, rather than including the description directly into the body of the OpSpec. In these instances, the document’s title, revision level, and revision date will be listed in the OpSpec, and the FAA will retain a copy of the document.
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2.8.3.2 Technical Data. An AMTS should provide suitable technical data reference access. The technical data should be appropriate to the AMTS ratings and to the instructional equipment used by the school. At a minimum, the technical data should include the following:
• Title 14 CFR parts 1 through 199.
• Aircraft, engine, propeller, and Type Certificate Data Sheets (TCDS) and specifications.
• Airworthiness Directives (AD).
• Aircraft maintenance manuals, relative to the equipment used by the school.
• Supplemental Type Certificates (STC), relative to the equipment used by the school.
• ACs.
• Other instructional materials, such as textbooks on basic physics, math, hydraulics, powerplants, etc.
2.8.4 Additional Training Locations. Section 147.15 allows the AMTS to provide training at additional training locations. Additional training locations are any fixed location other than the school’s primary location. The additional location must meet all part 147 requirements and be listed in the AMTS OpSpecs, pursuant to § 147.15.
Note: If an AMTS is, or will be, conducting training at a location different from the address listed on the AMTS Air Agency Certificate and OpSpec A001, the school must consider these locations as additional training locations and notify the FAA to add these locations to the AMTS OpSpecs. Buildings co-located on a campus do not need to be considered separate training locations.
2.8.4.1 Notif y the FAA. Prior to conducting any training at an additional training location, the AMTS must notify the FAA so that the location can be added to the AMTS OpSpecs. Additionally, the facilities, equipment, and materials for each location are included in the AMTS OpSpecs. See paragraph
2.7.1 for additional information.
2.8.4.2 Curriculum Taught at Additional Location. All or a portion of the AMTS curriculum may be taught at an additional training location.
Note: Part 147 states each certificated AMTS must establish, maintain, and utilize a curriculum; both “AMTS” and “curriculum” are stated in the singular. While an AMTS may only have one curriculum, it may have separate curriculum components (i.e., general, Airframe, Powerplant) for the ratings that the AMTS holds.
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2.8.4.3 Procedures. As previously stated, should an AMTS make changes to their FAA-approved QC system, such changes would need to be submitted to the FAA for updated approval.
2.8.4.4 FAA Surveillance. Pursuant to § 147.27, the FAA may inspect each additional training location requested by the AMTS, prior to adding the location to the AMTS OpSpecs.
2.8.5 AMTS Located Outside of the United States. Part 147 does not prohibit AMTS having a primary AMTS location, or additional training locations, from being located outside of the United States.
2.8.5.1 Certification and subsequent surveillance of AMTS primary or additional training locations outside of the United States are subject to fees in accordance with 14 CFR part 187. Refer to AC 187-1, Flight Standards Service Schedule of Charges Outside of the United States, for information on fees.
2.8.5.2 FAA certification and surveillance activities may be a coordinated effort between FAA offices depending on the location of the primary facility and any additional training locations.
2.8.5.3 The Department of Education recognition of accrediting agencies is limited by statute to accreditation activities within the United States as discussed in paragraph 2.5.1.1:
2.8.5.3.1 AMTS having a primary location within the United States and that are accredited within the meaning of 20 U.S.C. § 1001(a)(5) are recognized as having institutional accreditation which carries over to all additional training locations, whether located within or outside the United States
2.8.5.3.2 As previously discussed in paragraph 2.5.1, the Department of Education’s recognition of accrediting agencies is limited by statute to accreditation activities within the United States. As such, AMTS having a primary location outside of the United States must obtain FAA approval of a QC system meeting the requirements of § 147.23. Although the school may hold accreditation, the FAA will not recognize accreditation that is not within the scope of 20 U.S.C. § 1001(a)(5).
2.9 AMTS Instructor Requirements. Pursuant to § 147.5(b)(3), the AMTS must have a description of the manner in which the school will ensure it provides the necessary qualified instructors to meet the requirements of § 147.19. This description will be included in the AMTS OpSpecs. The requirements of § 147.19 include the following areas discussed in paragraphs 2.9.1 through 2.9.3:
Note: The instructor description discussed above may be included in the OpSpecs by reference to a document provided by the AMTS, rather than including the description directly into the body of the OpSpec. In these instances, the
2-30 document’s title, revision level, and revision date will be listed in the OpSpec, and the FAA will retain a copy of the document.
2.9.1 Positive Educational Outcomes. Each school must provide qualified instructors to teach in a manner that ensures positive educational outcomes are achieved, as required by § 147.19(a). Positive educational outcomes to refer to the training standards set forth in § 147.17, which are geared toward ensuring the AMTS provides training of a quality that satisfies the pass rate requirement specified in § 147.25 and equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to be prepared to test for a mechanic certificate and associated ratings under part 65.
2.9.1.1 The AMTS is responsible for ensuring the effectiveness of its instructors. The AMTS may decide to do this by a periodic internal evaluation of the instructor, or by some other method(s).
2.9.1.2 The FAA will assess instructor competency periodically during inspections by observing instructors in their teaching environment. Should the FAA have concerns with an instructor’s abilities to achieve positive educational outcomes, the concerns and observations will be provided to the AMTS to address the concern.
2.9.2 Instructor Qualifications. Section 147.19(b) requires that AMTS instructors either:
• Hold an FAA mechanic certificate, with one or more appropriate ratings; or
• Be otherwise specifically qualified to teach their assigned content.
2.9.2.1 Instructors Holding an FAA Mechanic Certificate. When using instructors that hold an FAA mechanic certificate, the AMTS must ensure that the instructor has the appropriate mechanic certificate rating relative to the specific subject(s) or course content they teach. Additionally, during certification or other FAA inspection, the AMTS must be able to show the FAA that the instructor holds an FAA mechanic certificate, with appropriate ratings.
2.9.2.2 Specifically Qualified Instructors (Instructors Not Holding an FAA Mechanic Certificate). The AMTS must ensure that any instructor who has not been issued an FAA mechanic certificate is specifically qualified to teach their assigned subject(s) or course content. The specifically qualified instructor should have specific qualifications relative to their intended area of instruction. Some examples for showing qualifications include:
• Documentation of practical experience in the procedures, practices, inspection methods, materials, tools, machine tools, and equipment. In most cases, this should reflect aviation maintenance experience.
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• Documented evidence of formal training designed to qualify the applicant for the specific area of instruction (e.g., a specialized course, webinar, or symposium).
2.9.2.3 Qualifying and Authorizing Instructors. The AMTS should make a determination that all of its instructors are competent to instruct students in the areas where they will be assigned teaching responsibilities. The AMTS should ensure it is maintaining and following its description of the manner in which the school will ensure it provides the necessary qualified instructors to meet the requirements of § 147.19. Failure to follow this description could be a violation of AMTS OpSpecs.
Note: During certification and surveillance, the FAA will verify the requirements of § 147.19 for each of the AMTS instructors. It may be beneficial to the AMTS to maintain a list of all instructors, their qualifications, and their assigned teaching content. This documentation may save an AMTS time during FAA inspection; however, a list is not required by regulation.
2.9.3 Student/Teacher Ratios. Section § 147.19(c) requires at least one instructor for every 25 students in any shop class. The AMTS may choose to provide a lower student-to-teacher ratio (i.e., additional instructors, according to the needs of the class or subject).
3-1 CHAPTER 3. OPERATING REQUIREMENTS
3.1 Operation After Certification. Title 14 CFR part 147 specifies the requirements for the certification and operation of FAA-certificated AMTSs. An AMTS must continue to meet all of the requirements of part 147 following initial certification and after the AMTS has added or removed a rating. Initial certification requirements are continuing and ongoing;
therefore, the certification requirements discussed in Chapter 2 are not repeated in this chapter. The following additional topics are discussed below related to operation following certification:
• Amending the FAA Air Agency Certificate (§ 147.5).
• Other Changes Requiring Application.
• Changes Requiring Notification to the FAA.
• Minimum Passage Rate (§ 147.25).
• FAA-Approved Quality Control (QC) System (§ 147.23(b)).
• Early Testing (§ 147.31).
3.2 Amending the Air Agency Certificate. An AMTS is required to operate in accordance with its AMTS certificate and its OpSpecs, which are issued by the FAA, pursuant to § 147.3. Therefore, should any of the elements that formed the basis for original certification change, the AMTS must apply for an amended certificate. Therefore, the AMTS must submit an FAA Form 8310-6, Aviation Maintenance Technician School Certificate and Ratings Application, in the following situations:
• When there is a requested change in the AMTS rating(s) (i.e., adding or removing a rating);
• Change of location of the primary school location;
• Change of name of the AMTS;
• Changes of ownership, if the AMTS is requesting a new certificate number.
Note: The AMTS is responsible for submitting proposed amendments to the FAA, while allowing the FAA a reasonable amount of time to evaluate and respond to the changes, based on the scope of the proposed amendment(s). The FAA recommends that the AMTS contact its responsible FAA office to coordinate a reasonable timeframe for evaluation of the proposed amendment.
3.2.1 Adding/Removing Ratings.
3.2.1.1 The ratings issued to an AMTS are displayed on the FAA-issued Air Agency Certificate. Therefore, either adding or removing a rating results in an amendment to the certificate. When adding a rating, § 147.5(c) states the application must only include the information necessary to substantiate the