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4.2.3.5 The FAA uses SAS automation to assist in documenting the applicant’s compliance with regulatory requirements. SAS automation utilizes design DCTs which can be provided to the applicant to assist them in developing their policies and procedures to ensure compliance. If provided during the certification process, applicants may use these DCTs to conduct a self-audit to determine if the organization is in compliance with regulatory requirements prior to submitting the application attachments to the FAA for review. The applicant can submit their self-audit DCTs along with the required formal application attachments.
4.3 Formal Application Phase. The formal application phase begins upon submission of the completed FAA Form 8310-6 and the required application attachments discussed in paragraph 4.2.3.4.
4.3.1 The Formal Application Meeting. The formal application meeting could occur before, after, or in conjunction with submission of the formal application and attachments. In the formal application meeting, the AMTS applicant’s key decision-making personnel should be available to meet with the FAA and discuss the entire application package. The purpose of this meeting is to resolve any questions on the part of either party and to establish a common resolve for future proceedings of the application process.
4.3.2 Submission Package Review. When the responsible Flight Standards office has determined that the application package submission is complete, the Flight Standards office will notify the applicant that the submission is acceptable and will proceed to review all documents within the submission. In the case of a rejected application, the FAA will return the application and attachments to the applicant with the reasons stated for rejection.
4.4 Design Assessment (DA) (Document Compliance) Phase. The DA or document compliance phase is the part of the certification process when the applicant’s curriculum and other documents are reviewed in depth to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and conformity to safe operating practices. These documents may include paper representation or electronic format. It is recommended that this phase be initiated as early as possible in the certification process.
4.4.1 Evaluation of Documentation. The FAA will carefully review all documents submitted during the formal application phase. The FAA will maintain contact with the applicant during this phase. If deficiencies are found in the submission items, the FAA will return the entire submission to the applicant with a letter outlining the deficient areas. The FAA generally offers suggestions on modifying the product, but will not write the applicant’s documents. A future meeting between the FAA and the applicant can be scheduled to discuss each deficiency in detail, if necessary. If the submission as a whole is not of sufficient quality to complete the certification, the FAA may terminate the entire certification process.
4.4.2 Termination. In the case of termination of the certification process, the applicant must begin the certification process again. See paragraph 4.2.
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4.5 Performance Assessment (PA) (Demonstration and Inspection) Phase. In the PA phase, the FAA determines whether the applicant’s proposed procedures and programs for training and directing personnel in the performance of their duties are effective. In this phase, the emphasis is on compliance with regulations and safe performance practices.
4.5.1 Inspection Schedule. When appropriate, the FAA will arrange with the applicant to inspect the facility. At this point, the FAA expects the AMTS facility to be complete with all facilities, equipment, and materials available for inspection. Before scheduling an inspection, the applicant should be certain the facility is ready to meet part 147 requirements.
4.5.2 Demonstration Criteria. In particular, the AMTS must demonstrate compliance with §§ 147.13 and 147.23, to include:
1. The descriptions of facilities, equipment, and materials provided pursuant to § 147.5 represent those actually used by the AMTS.
2. The AMTS as a whole is providing the facilities, equipment, and materials that are appropriate to the rating or ratings held by the school and the number of students taught.
3. At each training location, the AMTS facilities, equipment, and materials are appropriate to the curriculum or portion of the curriculum, and the number of students being taught, at that location.
4. Evidence of instructor qualifications. The school must be able to demonstrate to the FAA how its instructors meet the requirements of § 147.19.
5. Evidence of accreditation, if applicable. If the AMTS meets the requirements of § 147.23(a) through accreditation within the meaning of 20 U.S.C. § 1001(a)(5), then it must be able to demonstrate to the FAA how its meets the accreditation requirement, to include evidence of the school’s accrediting organization and the school’s accreditation status.
6. If the AMTS meets the requirements of § 147.23(a) through a QC system that meets the requirements specified in § 147.23(b), then the FAA will verify that the school is using its QC system procedures and that the procedures are producing the desired outcomes.
7. Observation of the AMTS compliance with conditions and limitations associated with any FAA exemption issued to the school and listed in the AMTS OpSpecs.
4.5.3 Demonstration Deficiencies. When deficiencies in the demonstration arise, the FAA will provide a written list of the discrepancies to the applicant. Depending on the magnitude of the deficiencies, the FAA may schedule a meeting to discuss in detail the appropriate corrective actions that are needed. Should the AMTS want to continue in the application and certification process, the AMTS must demonstrate how they have corrected the deficiencies to comply with part 147.
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4.5.4 Termination. If the FAA terminates the application, and the applicant would like to continue to pursue certification, the applicant should correct the identified discrepancies and submit a new PASI to reinitiate the certification process.
4.6 Administrative Functions (i.e., Certification) Phase.
4.6.1 Successful Application. When the FAA has determined that the regulatory requirements have been met, the school will be issued an AMTS Air Agency Certificate and appropriate OpSpecs. The original FAA Form 8000-4, Air Agency Certificate, signed by the responsible FAA office manager, will contain the school’s certificate number; the name of the school, including any additional business names used by the school
(i.e., doing business as (DBA)); and the ratings issued to the school. At this time, the FAA will return any documents to the applicant. Copies of AMTS curriculum, the AMTSs’ FAA-approved QC system (if applicable), and copies of documents that include the descriptions required by § 147.5 (when those descriptions are not included directly in the AMTS OpSpecs) will be kept on file at the responsible Flight Standards office.
4.6.1.1 The school must display FAA Form 8000-4 pursuant to § 147.29 at a location that is visible by and normally accessible to the public, at:
• The primary school location, and
• Each additional fixed location.
Note: The FAA only provides the air agency with a single FAA Form 8000-4. The AMTS may display a copy of its Air Agency Certificate at each additional fixed location.
4.6.2 FAA Inspection. A newly certificated school should expect that the FAA will inspect and observe the school frequently during the first 90 days of operation to determine compliance with the applicable regulations. The FAA may also identify needed changes in the methods or techniques of the school’s operation and communicate these with the AMTS.
Appendix A A-1 APPENDIX A. GLOSSARY OF TERMS This listing contains clarification of select terms used in this advisory circular (AC) and relevant to 14 CFR part 147. When used within the context of part 147, these terms apply to Aviation Maintenance Technician School (AMTS) requirements.
A.1. Accreditation. Relative to part 147, accreditation refers to institutional accreditation by an accrediting agency or association recognized by the Department of Education pursuant to 20 U.S.C. § 1001(a)(5).
A.2 Responsible Flight Standards Office. The FAA office with oversight responsibility of a particular part 147 AMTS. This is typically based on the service area of the office and the location of the AMTS, and could be a Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) or an International Field Office (IFO).
A.3 Letter of Compliance or Statement of Compliance (SOC). A document which lists each applicable part 147 section and provides either a brief narrative or a specific reference within the document(s) describing the applicant’s manner of compliance with the regulation.
A.4 Public Law (P.L.) 116-260. References to P.L. 116-260, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, are intended to refer specifically to Section 135 of the Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act in P.L. 116-260. Section 135, Promoting Aviation Regulations for Technical Training, contains specific requirements for promulgating part 147 regulation.
Appendix B B-1 APPENDIX B. RELATED REFERENCES B.1 Advisory Circulars (AC) (current editions). Current ACs are available at https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/advisory_circulars/ and https://drs.faa.gov.
1. AC 00-58, Voluntary Disclosure Reporting Program.
2. AC 20-37, Aircraft Propeller Maintenance.
3. AC 20-77, Use of Manufacturers’ Maintenance Manuals.
4. AC 20-107, Composite Aircraft Structure.
5. AC 43-4, Corrosion Control for Aircraft.
6. AC 43-9, Maintenance Records.
7. AC 43.9-1, Instructions for Completion of FAA Form 337.
8. AC 43.13-1, Acceptable Methods, Techniques and Practices—Aircraft Inspection and Repair.
9. AC 43.13-2, Acceptable Methods, Techniques, and Practices—Aircraft Alterations.
10. AC 65-30, Overview of the Aviation Maintenance Profession.
11. AC 65-31, Training, Qualification, and Certification of Nondestructive Inspection Personnel.
12. AC 65-33, Development of Training/Qualification and Certification Programs for Composite Maintenance Technicians.
13. AC 91-82, Fatigue Management Programs for In-Service Issues.
14. AC 120-72, Maintenance Human Factors Training.
B.2 FAA Orders and Handbooks (current editions).
1. FAA Order 8900.1, available at https://fsims.faa.gov and https://drs.faa.gov.
2. FAA Order 8900.2, General Aviation Airman Designee Handbook.
3. FAA-H-8083-1, Weight and Balance Handbook.
4. FAA-H-8083-9, Aviation Instructor’s Handbook.
5. FAA-H-8083-21B, Helicopter Flying Handbook.
6. FAA-H-8083-30, Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook—General.
7. FAA-H-8083-31, Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook—Airframe, Volumes 1 and 2.
8. FAA-H-8083-32, Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook—Powerplant, Volumes 1 and 2.
Appendix B B-2 B.3 Related 14 CFR Parts.
1. Part 1, Definitions and Abbreviations.
2. Part 43, Maintenance, Preventative Maintenance, Rebuilding, and Alteration.
3. Part 65, Certification: Airmen Other Than Flight Crewmembers, Subpart D, Mechanics.
4. Part 91, General Operating and Flight Rules.
5. Part 145, Repair Stations.
6. Part 147, Aviation Maintenance Technician Schools.
7. Part 183, Representatives of the Administrator.
8. Part 187, Fees.
B.4 Other.
1. Public Law (P.L.) 116-260, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, available at https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/133.
2. Human Factors in Aviation Maintenance and Inspection, documents are maintained at https://www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/maintenance_hf/.
3. Optimization of Aviation Maintenance Personnel Training and Certification, Goldsby, Soulis, and Advisors, January 2002.
4. Part 147 Aviation Maintenance Technician Schools Curriculum and Operating Requirements Working Group—Final Report to the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC), December 2008.
5. A National Study of the Aviation Mechanics Occupation, Final Report, September 1970 (commonly referred to as the Allen Study).
6. University of California, Los Angeles National Study of the Aviation Mechanics Occupation (1974).
7. General Accounting Office Report Number GAO-03-317, Aviation Safety: FAA Needs to Update Curriculum and Certification Requirements for Aviation Mechanics (2003).
8. ICAO Document 9868, Procedures for Air Navigation Services—Training.
9. ICAO Document 10098, Manual on Competency-Based Training and Assessment for Aircraft Maintenance Personnel.
10. Type Certificate Data Sheets (TCDS), available at https://drs.faa.gov.
Appendix C APPENDIX C. SAMPLE FACILITY LAYOUT
GENERAL CLASSROOM GENERAL LAB MEN AIRFRAME POWERPLANT
M CLASSROOM CLASSROON
NICAD LEAD ACID
BATTERY -BATTERY-
HAZUAR J BENCHES POWERPLANT | SHEET METAL/COMPOSITE AREA SHOP
AIRFRAME/AIRFRAME SYSTEMS
EQUIPMENT (CLEAN FACILITY) J
BOOK PARTS CLEANING
AND INSPECTION
BENCHES
IIBRARY
PAINT BREAK WELDING ADMINISTRATION/
BOOTH ROOM AREA TOOLS MATERIALS RECORDS C-1
Appendix D D-1 APPENDIX D. SAMPLE LETTER OF COMPLIANCE (I.E., STATEMENT OF
COMPLIANCE, COMPLIANCE STATEMENT) Purpose of the Letter of Compliance. The Letter of Compliance describes how the applicant complies with each individual section of 14 CFR part 147. To benefit the applicant’s understanding of all part 147 requirements, the Statement of Compliance (SOC) ensures that all applicable regulatory requirements are addressed during the certification process. The SOC provides a method to ensure the applicant understands each regulatory requirement put forth in the regulation and how the applicant will comply with each requirement.
When developing the Letter of Compliance, the applicant must ensure that the responses reflect how the applicant will comply with any regulatory requirement. The SOC must list each part 147 section and should provide either:
• A brief narrative of the method of compliance, or
• A specific reference to a manual or other document describing the planned method of compliance with the regulation.
The sequence should be the same as the regulations. The SOC should be submitted along with all other formal application attachments.
The FAA will review the SOC during the document compliance phase of certification, and discuss any deficiencies with the applicant.
Sample Letter of Compliance. The below information may be used as a template for applicants to base a properly formatted and comprehensive part 147 SOC.
• Each applicable part 147 section is listed in the template.
• Following each section, the template provides sample responses (in italics) which may assist the applicant in crafting a complete response. In some instances, the example invites an operating manual reference; in other instances, the example invites a narrative. However, the example is not meant to require one type of response over the other.
• References to specific documents, facilities, equipment, or personnel are for illustrative purposes, and should not be construed as the only approved methodology for school compliance.
Note: The SOC included in this AC is a generic example and must be modified to describe each individual applicant’s method of compliance with part 147.
Appendix D D-2 ______________________________________________________________________________ Statement of Compliance for [Applicant Name] [Date] This document provides the manner in which [Applicant] intends to comply with the provisions of part 147.
Subpart A—General § 147.1, Applicability.
This part prescribes the requirements for issuing aviation maintenance technician school certificates and associated ratings and the general operating rules for the holders of those certificates and ratings.
[Applicant] is prepared to comply with all part 147 requirements and general operating rules, as defined in this document, the [Applicant’s] manuals, curriculum documents, and/or other [Applicant] publications.
§ 147.3, Certificate Required.
No person may operate an aviation maintenance technician school without, or in violation of, an aviation maintenance technician school certificate and the operations specifications issued under this part.
[Applicant] attests that it will not operate or represent itself as a certificated school without, or in violation of an FAA Air Agency Certificate and operations specifications (OpSpecs) issued under part 147.
§ 147.5, Application Requirements.
(a) To be issued a certificate or rating under this part, an applicant must demonstrate compliance with the requirements of this part.
[Applicant] understands that to be issued a certificate or rating under this part, [Applicant] must demonstrate compliance with the requirements of this part.
(b) An application for a certificate and rating to operate an aviation maintenance technician school must include the following:
(1) A description of the facilities, including the physical address of the applicant’s primary location for operation of the school, and any additional fixed locations where training will be provided, and the equipment and materials to be used at each location;
[Applicant] has submitted as part of its application attachments, a description of the facilities, including the physical address of the applicant’s primary location for operation of the school, and any additional fixed locations where training will be provided.
Appendix D D-3 Additionally, [Applicant] has submitted as part of its application attachments a description of the equipment and materials to be used at each location.
(2) A description of the manner in which the school’s curriculum will ensure the student has the knowledge and skills necessary for attaining a mechanic certificate and associated ratings under subpart D of part 65;
[Applicant] has submitted as part of its application attachments, a description of the manner in which the school’s curriculum will ensure the student has the knowledge and skills necessary for attaining a mechanic certificate and associated ratings under subpart D of part 65.
(3) A description of the manner in which the school will ensure it provides the necessary qualified instructors to meet the requirements of § 147.19; and [Applicant] has submitted as part of its application attachments a description of the manner in which the school will ensure it provides the necessary qualified instructors to meet the requirements of § 147.19.
(4) Any additional information necessary to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of this part.
[Applicant] has submitted the following additional information necessary to demonstrate the requirements of this part:
• The curriculum required by § 147.17(a)(1).
• Evidence of instructor qualifications meeting § 147.23.
• Evidence of accreditation required by § 147.23 (if applicable).
• The school’s quality control (QC) system meeting §147.23(b) (if applicable).
• The following additional attachments to show compliance with part 147: (list additional attachments as applicable).
(c) An application for an additional rating or amended certificate must include only the information required by paragraph (b) that is necessary to substantiate the reason for the additional rating or change sought.
[Applicant] understands that when applying for an additional rating or an amended certificate, only information that is necessary to substantiate the reason for the additional rating or change sought must be submitted as attachments to the application.
§ 147.7, Duration of Certificates.
An aviation maintenance technician school certificate or rating issued under this part is effective from the date of issue until the certificate or rating is surrendered, suspended, or revoked.
[Applicant] recognizes that the aviation maintenance technician school (AMTS) certificate is effective until it is surrendered, suspended, or revoked.
Appendix D D-4 § 147.11, Ratings.
The following ratings may be issued under this part:
(a) Airframe.
(b) Powerplant.
(c) Airframe and powerplant.
[Applicant] seeks the [enter rating or ratings being sought] rating.
Subpart B—Certification and Operating Requirements § 147.13, Facilities, Equipment, and Material Requirements.
(a) Each certificated aviation maintenance technician school 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.
[Applicant’s] school provides and maintains the facilities, equipment, and materials that are appropriate to the rating or ratings held by the school and the number of students taught.
Descriptions of the school’s facilities, equipment, and materials are located in [Applicant’s] operating manual [insert reference], and have been provided to the FAA for inclusion in the [Applicant’s] OpSpecs.
(b) For certificated aviation maintenance technician schools that provide training at more than one location in accordance with § 147.15, the facilities, equipment, and materials used at each location must be appropriate to the curriculum or portion of the curriculum, and the number of students being taught, at that location.
At each location of [Applicant’s] school, the facilities, equipment, and materials used at each location must be appropriate to the curriculum or portion of the curriculum, and the number of students being taught at that location. Descriptions of the school’s facilities, equipment, and materials used at each additional training location are located in [Applicant’s] operating manual [insert reference], and have been provided to the FAA for inclusion in the [Applicant’s] OpSpecs.
§ 147.15, Training Provided at Another Location.
A certificated aviation maintenance technician school may provide training at any fixed location other than its primary location, provided the additional training location meets the requirements of this part and is listed in the certificate holder’s operations specifications.
[Applicant] will ensure that each additional training location will meet the requirements of part 147 and [Applicant’s] OpSpecs. [Applicants] will notify the FAA of the location of any additional fixed location it intends to provide training at as described in [Applicant’s] operating manual [insert procedure reference]. [Applicant] will not train at any additional location not listed in [Applicant’s] OpSpecs.
§ 147.17, Training Requirements.
(a) Each certificated aviation maintenance technician school must:
Appendix D D-5
(1) Establish, maintain, and utilize a curriculum that is designed to continually align with the mechanic airman certification standards as appropriate for the ratings held;
[Applicant] has designed a curriculum that aligns with the Mechanic Airman Certification Standards (ACS) and will ensure the curriculum continually aligns with the Mechanic ACS by revising its curriculum any time the Mechanic ACS is revised.
(2) Provides training of a quality that meets the requirements of § 147.25; and [Applicant] has designed a curriculum that will provide training of a quality that meets the minimum passage rate requirements of § 147.25. [Applicant] will ensure a pass rate of 70 percent of its students who test within 60 days after graduation, based on 3 years of test data as reported by the FAA, as described in [Applicant’s] operating manual [insert manual reference].
(3) Ensures students have the knowledge and skills necessary to be prepared to test for a mechanic certificate and associated ratings under subpart D of part 65 of this chapter.
[Applicant] ensures that students will have the knowledge and skill necessary to be prepared to test for a mechanic certificate because the curriculum aligns with the knowledge and skill requirements outlined in the FAA’s mechanic certificate testing standards.
(b) The standards required in paragraph (a)(1) of this section are contained in the Aviation Mechanic General, Airframe, and Powerplant Airman Certification Standards; FAA-S-ACS-1, November 1, 2021, which are incorporated by reference into this section with the approval of the Director of the Federal Register under 5 U.S.C. § 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. All approved material is available for inspection at the Federal Aviation Administration, Airman Testing Standards Branch/Regulatory Support Division, 405-954-4151, AFS630Comments@faa.gov. It is also available for inspection at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).
For information on the availability of this material at NARA, email: fedreg.legal@nara.gov, or go to www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
[Applicant] understands that the standards referenced in paragraph (a)(1) of this section are specifically provided in paragraph (b) of this section.
§ 147.19, Instructor Requirements.
Each certificated aviation maintenance technician school must:
(a) Provide qualified instructors to teach in a manner that ensures positive educational outcomes are achieved;
[Applicant] ensures its instructors are qualified and that each instructor teaches in a manner that ensures positive educational outcomes are achieved by [insert description of how the AMTS ensures this requirement is met for each instructor].
(b) Ensure instructors either—
(1) Hold a mechanic certificate with 1 or more appropriate ratings; or