CHAPTER 4. CERTIFICATION PROCEDURES
1. GENERAL INFORMATION ON CERTIFICATION PROCEDURES.
a. The AMTS certification process is an interaction between the AMTS applicant and the FAA. The certification process extends from the initial inquiry by the school applicant to the final issuance of the AMTS certificate. This process ensures the school’s curriculums, programs, policies, facilities, and methods of compliance with the regulations are thoroughly reviewed, evaluated, and validated. A certification schedule flowchart for the AMTS certification process is shown in Appendix 9, Certification Schedule Flowchart. Figure 4-1 provides a certification checklist as an aid to ensure all documents and procedures are complied with and recorded.
Figure 4-1. AMTS Certification Checklist Guide
AMTS CERTIFICATION CHECKLIST GUIDE NAME OF SCHOOL: INSPECTION Date SAT. UNS. NA
1. Initial inquiry to FAA
2. Obtain copy of regulations/FAA Form 8400-6
3. Develop Form 8400-6
4. Submit Form 8400-6 to FAA
5. Preapplication meeting with FAA
6. Develop formal application
• Detailed curriculum
• Grade/credit/record system
• Attendance system
• Library and text requirements
• Tool/instructional aids inventory
• Complete FAA Form 8310-6
• Facility description
• List of instructors/qualifications
• Statement of maximum number of students
7. Formal application meeting
8. Curriculum evaluation
9. by FAA AMTS facility inspection
• Basic facility check
• Instructional aids check
• Shop equipment check
• Special tool/calibration
10. Discrepancy meeting, if applicable
11. FAA certification Par 1 Page 1
b. ess consists of the five separate phases listed below:
spection phase.
d concurrently. As an xample, the document compliance phase may begin as soon as doc uments are e formal application phase.
2. P A where copies of the regulations can be obtained. The applicant must review the requirements and return the completed PASI to the FSDO before a preapplication mee regulations and advisory materials. Before PASI submission, the applicant should consider the personnel, facility, equipment, and regulatory requirements for certification and operation.
The FAA certification proc
(1) Preapplication phase.
(2) Formal application phase.
(3) Document compliance phase.
(4) Demonstration and in
(5) Certification phase.
NOTE: These phases may often o verlap and can procee e received, before or during th REAPPLICATION PHASE.
a. Initial Inquiry. An applicant seeking to develop an AMTS must contact the local FA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) and advise the office of the intent to pursue part 147 school certification. The FAA will provide the school applicant with a copy of FAA Form 8400-6, Preapplication Statement of Intent (PASI) (see Figures 4-2 and 4-3), and explain to the applicant how to complete the form. The FSDO will also advise the applicant which regulations must be met and ting can be scheduled.
b. PASI. An applicant should submit copies of the PASI only after reviewing the appropriate Page 2 Par 1
Figure 4-2. Preapplication Statement of Intent (Front) orm Approve MB No. 2120-000
PREAPPLICATION STATEMENT OF INTENT US Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration Agency Display of Estimated Burden: The FAA estimates that the average burden for this report form is 5 hours for the requirements in FAR Part 121.26 and 40 hours for the requirements in FAR Part 121.47 for each response. You may submit any comments concerning the accuracy of this burden estimate or any suggestions for reducing the burden to the Office of Management and Budget. You may also send comments to the Federal Aviation Administration, Air Transportation Division, AFS-200, 800 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20591, Attention: OMB number 2120-0008.
Section 1A. To Be Completed By All Applicants
1. Name and mailing address of company 2. Address of principal base where operations will be conducted (do not use post office box)
3. Proposed Start-up date 4. Requested three-letter company identifier in order of preference
1.
5. Management Personnel Name (Last, first, middle) Title Telephone (including area code) Section 1B. To Be Completed By Air Operators
6. Proposed type of operation (check as many as applicable)
• Air Carrier Certificate • Part 121 • Passengers and Cargo • Single Pilot Operator
• Operating Certificate • Part 125 • Cargo Only • Single Pilot-in-Command Operator
• PArt135 • Scheduled Operations • Basic Part 135 Operator
• Nonscheduled Operations Section 1C. To Be Completed By Air Agencies
7. Proposed type of agency and rating(s)
• Part 145 Repair Station • Part 147 Maintenance Technical School
• Domestic • Airframe
• Foreign • New • Renew • Powerplant
• Satellite • Both
• Airframe • Instrument
• Powerplan • Accessory • Part 149 Parachute Loft
- Propeller • Specialized Service
• Radio Section 1D. To Be Completed By Air Operators
8. Aircraft Data 19. Geographic area of intended operations Jumbers and types of aircraf Duche pa pose caper seats by make, model, and series FAA Form 8400-6 (6-95) Supersedes Previous Edition NSN: 0052-00-889-4002 Par 2 Page 3
Figure 4-3. Preapplication Statement of Intent (Back) Section 1A. To Be Completed By All Applicants
10. Additional information that provides a better understanding of the proposed operation or business (attach additional sheets, if necessary)
11. The statements and information contained on this form denote an intent to apply for FAA certification.
Signature Date Name and Title Section 2. To Be Completed By FAA District Office Received by (district office): Date forwarded to Region:
Date:
For: • Action • Information only Remarks Section 3. To Be Completed By Regional Office Received by: Precertification Number:
Date: Date coordinated with AVN-120:
District office assigned responsibility: Date forwarded to district office:
Remarks FAA Form 8400-6 (6-95) Supersedes Previous Edition NSN: 0052-00-889-4002 Page 4 Par 2
c. Preapplication Meeting. Following receipt of the completed PASI, the FAA will contact the AMTS applicant and arrange a preapplication meeting. During this meeting, the applicant should ask any questions that he or she may have concerning FAA certification. The following events take place during the preapplication meeting:
(1) FAA personnel brief the applicant on the regulatory requirements and policies regarding certification and operation of an AMTS.
(2) The applicant informs the FAA as to which of the three types of ratings are sought:
airframe, powerplant, or combined A&P.
NOTE: Because of the complex ity and costs involved in certification, many AMTS applicants init ially choose to seek certifica tion for only one rating to reduce certification time and to get classes under way.
(3) The applicant is given copies of FAA Form 8310-6, Aviation Maintenance Technician School Certificate and Ratings Application, to complete. See Figure 4-4.
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AC 147-3А 1/18/05 Figure 4-4. Form 8310-6, Aviation Maintenance Technician School Certificate and Ratings Application Form Approved. OMB No. 2120-0040
AVIATION MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN SCHOOL CERTIFICATE AND RATINGS APPLICATION US Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration INSTRUCTIONS: Type or print in ink. Submit original and two copies of this form (complete this side ONLY) and two copies of all attachments to the nearest FAA General Aviation District Office or Air Carrier District Office as set forth in Federal Aviation Regulations, Part 147.
2. TELEPHONE NO.
3. ADDRESS (Number, street, city, state & ZIP Code) 4. TRAINING DIRECTOR
5. APPLICATION SUBMITTED FOR (Check as applicable) 6. RATING(S) APPLIED FOR AND TOTAL HOURS PER COURSE 7. MAXIMUM NO. OF STUDENTS ENROLLED AT ANY ONE TIME
ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE RATINGS TOTAL HOURS DAY EVENING
AIRFRAME (A) CHANGE IN RATING (Specify) POWERPLANT (P) A&P CHANGE IN OWNERSHIP (Specify) 7A. MAXIMUM TOTAL CHANGE IN LOCATION, FACILITIES, AND EQUIPMENT (Specify) SCHOOL ENROLLMENT
8. SCHOOL STATUS (Check as applicable) CHANGE IN ENROLLMENT (Specify) PUBLIC PRIVATE - NON-PROFIT OTHER (Specify) ON AIRPORT IN CITY IN SUBURBS
10. COURSE CHARACTERISTICS HOURS WEEKS INSTRUCTION PERIODS PER YEAR ENROLLMENT .......
RATINGS PER WEEK PER COURSE HOURS PER FOR DAY EVENING DAY EVENING
DAY EVENING EVENING EVENING DAY EVENING YES NO YES NO YES NO YES NO
AIRFRAME (A)
POWERPLANT (P) A&P
11. ATTACHMENTS (Check applicable items) A. PROPOSED CURRICULUM E. LIST OF REQUIRED PRACTICAL PROJECTS B. LIST OF FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT TO BE USED F. SCHEDULE OF REQUIRED TESTS C. PHOTOGRAPHS OF FACILITIES G. COPY OF STUDENT RECORD SYSTEM D. LIST OF INSTRUCTORS, NAMES, CERTIFICATE NOS., TYPE,
AND RATINGS HELD, AND SUBJECTS TO BE TAUGHT
12. APPLICANT'S CERTIFICATION NAME OF OWNER (Include name(s) of individual owner, all partners, or corporation name giving State and date of incorporation) I hereby certify that I have been authorized by the school identified in item 1 to make this application and that statements and attachment hereto are true and correct to the best of my knowledge.
DATE TITLE AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE
13. CERTIFICATION ACTION (FOR FAA USE ONLY) ACTION CERTIFICATE NO. ASSIGNED RATINGS DAY INDICATE RATING(S) EVENING APPROVED MAXIMUM DAY ENROLLMENT FOR EVENING
APPROVED AIRFRAME (A) FAA FORM 8310-4 FORWARDED ON POWERPLANT (P)
DISAPPROVED A&P
REMARKS
14. DATE CERTIFICATE ISSUED 15. OFFICE IDENTIFICATION 16. ISSUING OFFICIAL'S SIGNATURE FAA Form 8310-6 ......
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(4) The applicant is given a thorough briefing on required attachments to the formal application. The applicant is briefed on how to comply with these requirements, because the quality of these documents is a positive determining factor in FAA certification review.
NOTE: These attach ments can be pres ented to the FAA in w riting either before or during formal application. The attachment documents should include the following:
(a) A document compliance statement listing each applicable part 147 section. The statement should provide either a brief narrative or, preferably, a specific reference to a manual, curriculum, or other document that describes the manner of compliance with each part of that regulation.
(b) A system for recording student attendance and the student attendance policy.
(c) A system providing procedures for maintenance of precision/special tools.
(d) A letter requesting that the application be processed and indicating when the facilities and equipment will be ready for a formal inspection by the FAA.
(e) Two completed copies of Form 8310-6.
(f) A detailed description of the proposed curriculum. Because the curriculum must be approved by the FAA before the school can be certificated, an applicant can save time and money if the proposed curriculum is submitted before the formal application. Typically, a curriculum may take several FAA/AMTS review sessions before approval is granted. See curriculum requirements in Chapter 2, paragraph 2-6.
(g) A written description of the facilities to be used for instruction. The applicant should also provide detailed drawings, with dimensions of the classrooms, the technical library, and laboratory and shop facilities. Drawings should show the relative location of each school’s facilities to each other. If classrooms or laboratories and shops are located at significant distances from each other, the applicant should describe whether and how travel time will affect required class attendance time.
(h) A proposed inventory of the following items:
• Instructional aids that include the numbers and types of mockups, aircraft, aircraft components, charts, or other visual instruction tools
• All shop equipment
• All special tools
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• Required student handtools (the applicant must list in detail which handtools will be provided by the school and which tools the student will be required to provide)
• Laboratory and shop instructional materials (for example, rivets and sheet metal)
(i) A list of proposed instructors indicating all required certificate number(s) and rating(s), and the subjects to be taught by each instructor. Every subject in the proposed curriculum must be accounted for on the instructor listing. At least 1 FAA-approved instructor is required for every 25 students in each laboratory and shop class. This requirement must be reflected in the list of instructors.
(j) A statement indicating the maximum number of students to be taught for each rating during each enrollment period. This information must be shown on the application form as well.
(k) A written description of the contents and location of the proposed technical data reference area, including the appropriate and current technical data necessary for the ratings sought. The description should contain procedures on how, when, and by whom the technical data will be updated.
(l) A written description of the method the school will use to grant credit to students with previous AMT experience. Section 147.31(c)(3) requires that only documentary evidence and testing may be used to grant credit for experience. Previous experience must be aviation maintenance experience and must be comparable to the required curriculum subjects.
(m) A written description of the method the school will use to grant credit to students for previous AMT training. Section 147.31(c)(1) permits several methods to be used for granting credit for previous training. School transcripts, catalogs, and other course documentation may be used to grant credit.
(n) If it is not specifically included in the curriculum, a written description of the method the school will use to record and maintain student time, attendance, and course grades.
The system must include a method of determining final course grades, which are a combination of classroom, laboratory, and practical project grades. All required practical projects must be completed to at least the minimum grading standards.
(o) A system that indicates how testing and grading security will be maintained
(p) A listing of any texts that will be used in the approved curriculum. These must be appropriate to the instructional material, curriculum, and the FAA ratings sought.
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3. FORMAL APPLICATION PHASE.
a. Document Review. After the AMTS submits the required PASI and preapplication information to the FAA, the FSDO will review the documents. When the FSDO has determined that all the documents are complete and acceptable, the FSDO will contact the school and arrange for a formal application meeting.
b. The Formal Meeting. 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. Any open questions or discrepancies should be resolved at this time.
Based on the document review and the results of these meetings, the FAA will accept or reject the application at that time. The FAA will document the results of the meeting in writing. 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. DOCUMENT COMPLIANCE PHASE. This phase generally overlaps the preapplication phase and extends through the formal application phase. It is recommended that this phase be initiated as early as possible in the certification process.
a. Evaluation of Documentation. The FAA will carefully review all documents submitted during the preapplication phase. The FAA can be expected to place particular emphasis on the curriculum content and the methods within the curriculum used to comply with the regulations.
The FAA will maintain contact with the applicant during this phase. If deficiencies are found in the curriculum or in any other preapplication documents, the FAA will return these documents 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 will be scheduled to discuss each deficiency in detail. If the documents, as a whole, are not of sufficient quality to complete the certification, the FAA will terminate the entire certification process.
b. Termination. In the case of termination of the certification process, the applicant must submit a new PASI to begin the certification process again.
5. DEMONSTRATION AND INSPECTION PHASE.
a. Inspection Schedule. Following a successful formal application phase, 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 the shop equipment, instructional aids, instructional aircraft, special tools, and other required laboratory or shop installations in place. Before scheduling an inspection, the applicant should be certain the facility is ready to meet the standards.
b. Emphasis. During the inspection, the FAA inspectors will carefully examine the facilities and equipment to ensure that procedures, programs, facilities, and equipment meet FAA requirements and are safe and sufficient for the training program in the shop to be effective.
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c. Demonstration Criteria. In particular, the AMTS must demonstrate compliance with the following regulations:
(1) Facilities must meet the requirements of part 147, sections 147.13 and 147.15.
(2) Instructional equipment must meet the requirements of section 147.17.
(3) All special tools, handtools, shop equipment, and instructional materials must meet the requirements of section 147.19.
d. 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 must be taken. At or immediately following the meeting, the applicant must provide the FAA with a list of all corrective actions taken. No AMTS will be FAA-certificated with outstanding discrepancies. All discrepancies must be corrected before certification may be granted. If the discrepancies cannot be resolved and/or the applicant does not demonstrate compliance with the regulations, the FAA will terminate the certification process and send the applicant a letter of rejection and a list of the discrepancies still outstanding.
e. Termination. If the FAA terminates the application, the applicant must correct the discrepancies and submit a new PASI to reinitiate the certification process.
6. CERTIFICATION PHASE.
a. Successful Application. When all the regulatory requirements have been met, the school will be issued an AMTS certificate. The form will contain the name of the school and its ratings.
At this time, the school’s curriculum will be returned by the FAA, signed, and dated on all the effective pages and on any revision pages.
b. Surveillance. 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.
James J. Ballough Director, Flight Standards Service Page 10 Par 5
Appendix 1 APPENDIX 1. GLOSSARY OF TERMS This listing contains clarifications of some of the terms defined in 14 CFR part 147. When used within the context of part 147, these terms apply to aviation maintenance technician school (AMTS) requirements and are not necessarily used the same way they are used in other Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations; that is, 14 CFR part 145, Repair Stations.
1. Accreditation. This term refers exclusively to schools accredited within the United States and Canada.
2. Aviation Technician Education Council (ATEC). The AMTS industry association.
3. Certificated Instructors. Those instructors who hold FAA mechanic certificates and the ratings appropriate for the subjects to be taught.
4. Certification. This term refers to AMTSs certificated by the FAA.
5. Check. To verify proper operation. A check is performed to verify proper operation without the item necessarily qualifying for return to service condition. At an AMTS, the item checked does not have to be the item overhauled.
6. Common Handtools. Small, ordinary tools such as ratchets and sockets.
7. Flight Standards District Office (FSDO). The local FAA office controlling a particular part 147 AMTS.
8. Instruction Hour. The educational unit hour, as used by an AMTS, that consists of a time period of 50 to 60 minutes. This instructional time period conforms to the existing practices at many education institutions.
9. Instructional Aids. Equipment used to provide instruction. Examples include diagrams, visual aids, computers, interactive software, aircraft, and mock-ups of aircraft, engines, and components, as well as actual components, such as magnetos and fuel controls. An instructional aid is not required to meet return-to-service standards.
10. Laboratory. Facilities for providing instruction in general principles that may require student demonstrations or participation. Determination of what laboratory equipment is required depends on the subject taught and the teaching level at which it is taught.