3-1 CHAPTER 3. LIGHT-SPORT REPAIRMAN CERTIFICATE TRAINING COURSES
3.1 Light-Sport Repairman Certificate Training Courses. Training course requirements are set forth by 14 CFR § 65.107. To be eligible for a light-sport repairman certificate and/or rating, an individual must have completed an FAA-accepted training course specific to the applicable aircraft category and class privileges sought. The training course provider must deliver the course using facilities, equipment, and materials appropriate to the training course content being taught and using instructors who are appropriately qualified to teach the course content. The training course provider must administer a written test, and the individual must pass that test to be issued a course Certificate of Completion. Each training course and course test must be applicable to:
1. Either an inspection or maintenance rating on a repairman certificate (light-sport), and
2. The category of aircraft and class (as applicable) for which the airman/applicant intends to exercise the privileges of the certificate/rating, to include the following aircraft categories and classes:
• Airplane (all classes).
• Rotorcraft – Gyroplane.
• Rotorcraft – Helicopter.
• Glider. This includes training on both powered and unpowered types of gliders in a single training course.
• Lighter-than-air – airship.
• Lighter-than-air – balloon.
• Powered-lift.
• Powered parachute (all classes).
• Weight-shift-control aircraft (all classes).
3.1.1 Training Course Providers.
3.1.1.1 A training course provider may be an individual or a company that has the capability to provide an effective training course for a light-sport repairman certificate inspection or maintenance rating. The training course provider must have each training course accepted by the FAA prior to offering the course.
See Chapter 4, Training Course FAA-Acceptance, for procedures on how to obtain FAA acceptance of a training course to become a light-sport repairman training course provider.
3.1.1.2 The FAA does not produce or provide any light-sport repairman certificate training courses. These courses are strictly produced and provided by outside entities based on industry discretion. The FAA does not mandate entities to provide a training course(s) for repairmen certificates (light-sport).
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3.1.2 Training Course Requirements. As discussed in detail in the subsequent paragraphs, 14 CFR § 65.107 sets forth the standards for light-sport repairman training courses in the following areas:
• Course Content (14 CFR § 65.107(b)(3)).
• Course Test (14 CFR § 65.107(b)(4)).
• Course Facilities, Equipment, and Materials (14 CFR § 65.107(e)(1)).
• Course Instructors (14 CFR § 65.107(e)(2)).
• Course Certificate of Completion (14 CFR § 65.107(e)(3)).
3.1.3 Training Course Acceptance Duration. A training course must be accepted by the FAA to be used towards eligibility for a light-sport repairman certificate. FAA-acceptance does not expire except as discussed in paragraphs 3.1.3.1 through 3.1.3.4 below. See paragraphs 3.2.3 and 3.3.2 for additional information on FAA acceptance of inspection and maintenance rating training courses, respectively.
3.1.3.1 The FAA encourages training course providers to routinely review their FAA-accepted training courses to determine if those courses include the appropriate course content. If the training course provider determines that revision of a training course is necessary, the course provider must submit the revised course to the FAA for review and acceptance prior to delivering training based on the revised course content.
3.1.3.2 Training courses accepted by the FAA before the applicable effective date of the MOSAIC final rule, except glider training courses (as discussed in paragraph 3.1.3.3), that are still within the 2-year expiration date stated on the FAA Letter of Acceptance (LOA), will continue to be effective (i.e., the expiration date will no longer apply). For these courses, the FAA will reissue an LOA with no expiration date.
3.1.3.3 Training courses for glider class privileges, accepted by the FAA prior to the applicable effective date of the MOSAIC final rule (and not expired by that date), may continue to be delivered up to 365 days after the publication date of the MOSAIC final rule pursuant to 14 CFR § 65.107(g), Delayed Compliance. These courses do not include training content on both powered and unpowered gliders. For these courses, the FAA will reissue an LOA providing an expiration date of 365 days after the publication date of the MOSAIC final rule. After that expiration date, training course providers may only offer glider training courses accepted by the FAA that include course content on both powered and unpowered gliders. Therefore, training course providers will be required to revise the glider training course and request FAA-acceptance as described in Chapter 4.
3.1.3.4 If a training course expired before the effective date of the MOSAIC final rule (including a glider course) and was not reissued FAA-acceptance before the
3-3 effective date of the MOSAIC final rule, the training course provider must follow the procedures in Chapter 4 to request acceptance of the course. The FAA will review the course and if found acceptable, will issue an LOA with no expiration date.
3.2 Inspection Rating Training Courses. The purpose of an inspection rating training course is to train an individual owner to perform a satisfactory annual condition inspection on their experimental light-sport or amateur-built aircraft and, based on that inspection, determine if that aircraft is safe to fly. To successfully meet that purpose, the course must teach a basic understanding of the regulations applicable to the privileges and limitations of a light-sport repairman certificate with an inspection rating (e.g., 14 CFR §§ 65.107 and 65.109) and the regulations relating to maintenance and inspection of the aircraft (e.g., 14 CFR § 91.319, 14 CFR part 43 appendix D) to which this certificate applies. The training course must be designed to include appropriate content on the category and class (as applicable) of aircraft for which certificate privileges, and class limitations, are sought. After a student completes the course and passes a written test covering the course content, the training course provider must provide a Certificate of Completion to the student pursuant to 14 CFR § 65.107(e)(3).
3.2.1 Course Design Standards. An inspection rating training course must be designed to:
• Provide the student the requisite skill to determine whether the aircraft is in a condition for safe operation (refer to 14 CFR § 65.107(b)(4));
• Train students on a category and class (as applicable) of experimental aircraft (as opposed to a single aircraft within a category or class) (refer to 14 CFR § 65.107(c)); and
• Include at least 16 hours of training (refer to 14 CFR § 65.107(c)).
3.2.2 Recommended Course Content. Appendix A, Sample Inspection Rating Training Course Content, contains sample course content to ensure the training will provide a student who seeks an inspection rating with the knowledge and skill to determine whether an aircraft is in a condition for safe operation. If a training provider utilizes the sample course content provided herein, the provider must tailor the course to the category and class (as applicable) of aircraft covered by the course. The course content should cover:
3.2.2.1 Information on Experimental Airworthiness Certificates and associated operating limitations.
3.2.2.2 Applicable content from 14 CFR part 43 appendix D. Aircraft issued an experimental certificate in accordance with 14 CFR § 21.191(g), (i), (k), or (l) are typically issued operating limitations that require the condition inspection to include the scope and detail of 14 CFR part 43 appendix D.
3.2.2.3 Applicable information on inspecting components and systems not specifically listed in 14 CFR part 43 appendix D. For example, training for rotorcraft should cover those items listed in 14 CFR § 43.15, Additional
3-4 Performance Rules for Inspections, or other life-limited or critical components.
3.2.3 FAA-Acceptance of Inspection Rating Training Courses.
3.2.3.1 An inspection rating training course must be accepted by the FAA for the course to be used towards eligibility for a light-sport repairman certificate with an inspection rating.
3.2.3.2 Inspection rating training courses are accepted based on FAA verification that the course meets the requirements in 14 CFR § 65.107(c). The course must include 16 hours of content on inspecting the category and class (as applicable) of experimental aircraft for which the training is designed to qualify a person for a light-sport repairman certificate, and applicable rating, privileges, and limitations.
3.2.3.3 See Chapter 4 for procedures on obtaining FAA-acceptance of the training course.
3.3 Maintenance Rating Training Course. The purpose of a maintenance rating training course is to train students on the inspection techniques and maintenance practices necessary to maintain a particular category and class (as applicable) of aircraft. To successfully meet that purpose, the course should include content on the regulations applicable to the privileges and limitations of the light-sport repairman certificate with a maintenance rating (e.g., 14 CFR §§ 65.107 and 65.109), and the regulations relating to maintenance and inspection (e.g., 14 CFR part 43, 14 CFR §§ 91.319 and 91.327) of the aircraft to which this certificate applies. The training course must be designed to include appropriate content on the category and class (as applicable) of aircraft for which certificate privileges, and class limitations, are sought. After a student completes the course and passes a written test covering the course content, the training course provider must provide a Certificate of Completion to the student pursuant to 14 CFR § 65.107(e)(3).
3.3.1 Course Design Standards.
3.3.1.1 A maintenance rating training course should provide the student with the skill to determine whether an aircraft is in a condition for safe operation. The course must:
• Train students on a category and class (as applicable) of aircraft (refer to 14 CFR § 65.107(d)); and
• Include, at a minimum, content on the knowledge, risk management, and skill elements for each subject contained in the Aviation Mechanic General, Airframe, and Powerplant Airman Certification Standards (ACS) that is appropriate to the category and class (as applicable) of aircraft being taught.
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3.3.1.2 Course providers should consider the guidelines in paragraphs 3.3.1.2.1 through 3.3.1.2.4 when determining appropriate course content.
3.3.1.2.1 Relevant ACS Content. The course does not need to include every section, subject area, or element of the Mechanic ACS; it should only include the relevant sections, subject areas, and elements.
3.3.1.2.2 Applicable to Category and Class. Focus course content to a particular category of aircraft and to a specific class within that category when applicable. This will require training course providers to review the Mechanic ACS sections, subject areas, and elements to determine which content from the Mechanic ACS is applicable and appropriate for inclusion in the training course. Depending on the aircraft category and class, some elements may not be appropriate for inclusion in the course content, whereas for other courses, entire sections or subject matter may be appropriate to ensure thorough training course content.
• For example, the powerplant section of the Mechanic ACS is not applicable for lighter-than-air category, balloon class.
• As another example, the turbine engine subject area would not be applicable to airships.
3.3.1.2.3 Common and Entry-Level Tasks. Training should cover common tasks and those tasks a newly certificated light-sport repairman would be expected to perform. The Mechanic ACS outlines minimum standards for training and certification mechanics and repairmen, which do not represent every possible knowledge area or skill that a mechanic or repairman will need to have when performing maintenance. Nor is it possible to train every mechanic or repairman on every single aircraft make and model that exists in any aircraft category or class. The knowledge, risk management, and skill elements in the Mechanic ACS are only a portion of the knowledge and skills a mechanic or repairman could encounter while performing aircraft maintenance work and are a minimum standard for certification.
3.3.1.2.4 Reflect Certificate Privileges.
1. Course content should be further focused to reflect the privileges of a light-sport repairman certificate. Light-sport repairman certificate privileges are limited to light-sport category and certain experimental aircraft, while mechanic certificate privileges are very broad privileges that are not limited by the type of airworthiness certificate an aircraft holds. Subsequently, the applicable course content for a light-sport repairman certificate training course would be narrower in scope based on the limited aircraft light-sport repairmen may perform work on.
2. For example, light-sport repairmen do not have the privilege to perform or approve for return to service a major repair or major alteration on an
3-6 a ircraft product produced under a type design; therefore, it is unnecessary to include training on FAA Form 337 , Major Repair and Alteration (Airframe, Powerplant, Propeller, or Appliance).
3.3.1.2.5 Operational Aircraft. Applicable content determinations should be based on aircraft for which there is a significant number operating in the National Airspace System (NAS). Put differently, course providers are not expected to revise training course content to cover any possibility of aircraft design that could exist under 14 CFR part 22. Similarly, course providers are not expected to revise training course content if there is only a small number of aircraft of a certain design operating in the NAS. However, course providers are expected to provide a high level of knowledge on the practical application within the light-sport maintenance community and revise their courses as necessary to ensure they include appropriate course content as required by 14 CFR § 65.107(d).
1. Courses should include training on a representative sampling of aircraft in the category and class (as applicable) being trained because the repairman will have privileges on all aircraft in that category and class (as applicable). Therefore, training content should also represent various aircraft designs within that category or class.
3.3.2 FAA-Acceptance of Maintenance Rating Training Courses.
3.3.2.1 A maintenance rating training course must be accepted by the FAA for the course to be used towards eligibility for a light-sport repairman certificate with a maintenance rating.
3.3.2.2 Maintenance rating training courses are accepted based on FAA verification that the course meets the requirements in 14 CFR § 65.107(d). The course must include content on, at a minimum, the knowledge, risk management, and skill elements for each subject contained in the Aviation Mechanic General, Airframe, and Powerplant Airman Certification Standards (incorporated by reference; refer to 14 CFR § 65.23) that are appropriate to the category and class (as applicable) of aircraft for which the training is designed to qualify a person for a light-sport repairman certificate, rating, privileges, and limitations (as applicable).
3.3.2.3 Maintenance rating training courses that were issued an FAA Acceptance Number before the effective date of the MOSAIC final rule were based on class-specific hour requirements. Maintenance rating courses are no longer required to offer their content in the previously prescribed number of hours.
Instead, course providers can determine the appropriate timeframe necessary to ensure all course content is delivered. A course provider may find the training course content, as required in 14 CFR § 65.107(d), may be taught in the same or similar numbers of hours as previously required; however, the course providers are not regulatorily required to instruct for a certain number
3-7 of hours and may find that effective training to proficiency should be delivered in either an additional or reduced number of hours. After the effective date of the MOSAIC final rule, the FAA will not consider hours when evaluating course content for acceptance of maintenance rating training courses.
3.3.2.4 See Chapter 4 for procedures on obtaining FAA-acceptance of the training course.
3.3.3 Recommended Course Content. Appendix B, Sample Maintenance Rating Training Course Content, contains sample course content for training to provide a student who seeks a maintenance rating with the knowledge and skill to exercise the privileges of the certificate. The sample course content in Appendix B is separated into modules, a combination of which can allow a student seeking a light-sport repairman certificate with a maintenance rating to obtain the required training for multiple aircraft category and class (as applicable) privileges without duplicating training already received. The course content must cover the applicable subjects (General, Airframe, Powerplant), subject areas
(e.g., Weight and Balance, Flight Controls, Engine Inspection, etc.), and knowledge, risk management, and skill elements of the Mechanic ACS, and should include:
3.3.3.1 Information on airworthiness certificates and associated operating limitations.
3.3.3.2 Applicable content from 14 CFR part 43 appendix D. Aircraft issued an experimental certificate in accordance with 14 CFR § 21.191(g), (i), (k), or (l) are typically issued operating limitations that require the condition inspection to include the scope and detail of 14 CFR part 43 appendix D. Light-sport category aircraft may also be issued operating limitations with maintenance or inspection requirements that must be met to operate the aircraft.
3.3.3.3 Applicable information on inspecting and maintaining components and systems unique to the aircraft design, including those not specifically listed in 14 CFR part 43 appendix D. For example, for rotorcraft, the items listed in 14 CFR § 43.15, Additional Performance Rules for Inspections, or other life-limited or critical components should be included in the training.
Note: A training course provider may not issue a Certificate of Completion for any aircraft category and class (as applicable) privilege without ensuring the student has completed all applicable training and has passed a written test covering the contents of the training course.
3.4 Training Course Tests.
3.4.1 Written Test. To be eligible for a light-sport repairman certificate and rating, a student/applicant must pass a written test administered by the training course provider that covers the contents of the course in accordance with 14 CFR § 65.107(b)(4). As required by 14 CFR § 65.17, the student must achieve a 70 percent score or higher on the test to pass.
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3.4.2 Retest. If the student fails the course test, the training course provider may retest the student. The course provider should provide additional instruction in each of the subjects failed prior to retesting.
3.5 Course Facilities, Equipment, and Materials. The training course provider must deliver each training course using facilities, equipment, and materials appropriate to the training course content taught, in accordance with 14 CFR § 65.107(e).
Note: The safety of students is of utmost importance. Aircraft maintenance tasks can be dangerous, and training providers must ensure their facilities, equipment, and materials prevent injury in the learning environment.
3.5.1 Appropriate. The FAA interprets “appropriate” facilities, equipment, and materials to mean those elements are sufficiently suited to instruct in the content the training course offered. If certain facilities, equipment, and materials are essential to support the training provider’s training course content, then those facilities, equipment, and materials would be considered “appropriate” to the training course being taught, and the training course provider must have those facilities, equipment, and materials available during training.
3.5.2 Facilities. The training course facilities must provide an environment suitable for learning to ensure that learning objectives of the training course are met. Considerations should include:
• Distractions from learning, such as excessive noise, dust and fumes (poor ventilation), heat and cold (temperature control), and clutter should be eliminated or minimized.
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 for accomplishing any of the laboratory or shop projects as appropriate to the course provider’s instructional design (e.g., a certain area or piece of equipment cannot accommodate a large number of students, but the course instructional design ensures it is used by small groups of students at different times).
• The course provider should ensure the laboratory and shop floors are free from clutter, such as extension cords and air hoses.
Note: Facilities should 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.
3.5.3 Equipment. 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 training course provider must provide equipment suitable for learning to ensure that learning objectives set forth in the applicable course content from the Mechanic ACS can be met. In other words, if the training course includes a skill requirement on a specific piece of equipment (as listed in the Mechanic ACS), the course
3-9 provider must have that piece of equipment. For example, where the course requires a student to be able to perform a skill requirement to service a battery, the course provider must have an aircraft battery in a condition that will allow a student to demonstrate the appropriate servicing requirements to be considered to have equipment appropriate to the training course content being sought.
3.5.3.1 Shop Equipment. The training course provider 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 training course content and learning outcomes.
• Maintain an adequate ratio of instructional aids-to-students in each shop class to ensure safety and facilitate learning.
• Maintain shop equipment in good working order and in a condition for safe operation. A system should be in place for routine preventive maintenance and/or replacement.
• Securely install and locate large standing equipment to provide sufficient aisle space so students can move about freely.
3.5.3.2 Tools. The training course provider 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 training course provider should either provide common hand tools or require students to furnish their own.
3.5.3.3 Instructional Aids. The instructional aids should be appropriate for the scope and depth of the training course content. The training course provider should ensure the complexity of instructional aids is appropriate to the level of knowledge and skill outcome of the subject element. The training course provider 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.
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3.5.4 Materials. This refers to materials needed to effectively provide the training course content and meet the course objectives. Materials include handout material, textbooks, handbooks, and technical data. The training course provider must have sufficient materials in stock and properly stored to provide for the student enrollment.
3.6 Course Instructors. The training courses must be delivered by instructors that are appropriately qualified to teach the course content.
3.6.1 Appropriately Qualified. “Appropriately qualified” means an instructor is demonstrably qualified to teach the course content. This demonstration may include educational credentials, certifications, or practical experience that aligns with the subject matter that the instructor teaches.
3.7 Course Certificate of Completion. In accordance with 14 CFR § 65.107(e), a training course provider must provide a Certificate of Completion to each student after the student completes the training course and passes a written test. The Certificate of Completion must include the:
• Student’s name;
• Name of the training provider;
• FAA course acceptance number;
• Rating applicable to the training course (i.e., maintenance, inspection);
• Category and class (as applicable) of aircraft the training was based on (e.g., airplane, glider, rotorcraft–gyroplane, lighter-than-air – balloon, etc.); and
• Date of training completion.
3.7.1 Demonstration of Course Completion. An applicant for a light-sport repairman certificate must present documentary evidence of completion of the training course and passage of the written course test, as prescribed in 14 CFR § 65.107(b)(5). The applicant can use the Certificate of Completion issued by the training course provider to demonstrate successful completion of both the training course and written course test to the FAA.
3.7.1.1 An applicant may submit documentation other than the Certificate of Completion if the applicant is unable to produce the Certificate of Completion due to circumstances such as the certificate being lost or destroyed. For example, an applicant could provide transcripts and an authenticated letter from the training course provider. Acceptable documentation must demonstrate both course completion and passing of the course test in accordance with 14 CFR § 65.107(b)(5). The documentary evidence should include the equivalent information as what is required on a Certificate of Completion issued in accordance with 14 CFR § 65.107(e)(3).
3.7.2 Sample Certificate of Completion. See Appendix C, Sample Certificates of Completion, for a sample Certificates of Completion for an inspection rating and a maintenance rating.
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3.8 Additional Considerations for Training Courses. A training course should be designed based on the additional following recommendations. The FAA notes that these are not requirements (except as specifically noted), but often seen as part of successful training courses:
3.8.1 Training Course Records. The course provider should retain training records with the names of each student, the courses and/or modules completed by the student, and the test scores for all tests passed by the student. Additionally, it is recommended that the training course provider document course content that was credited (e.g., prior training as credit) versus that which was specifically trained at the training provider. The training records should be maintained for at least 2 years after the student has completed the course.
However, training providers that offer training course modules may want to retain records for longer to allow students to benefit from the modular course offerings so that the student could be credited for modules they have already completed. See Appendix B for additional information on modular design of maintenance rating training courses.
3.8.2 Student Attendance. The course provider should have an attendance policy and inform students of that policy. It is recommended the course provider track student attendance and have procedures for how students will make up missed course material.
3.8.3 Type and Length of Training.
3.8.3.1 Inspection Rating Training Course. An inspection rating training course must include at least 16 hours of training and must be designed to result in students obtaining a level of proficiency that enables the individual to inspect an aircraft (in the aircraft category and class (as applicable) the course is specific to) and determine that the aircraft will be in a condition for safe operation (14 CFR § 65.107(c)). The FAA recommends these course hours include at least 25 percent hands-on/practical training to successfully train to proficiency.
3.8.3.2 Maintenance Rating Training Course. A maintenance rating training course should be a combination of lecture and practical training/application of skill that is based on the applicable knowledge, risk management, and skill elements of the Mechanic ACS pursuant to 14 CFR § 65.107(d). The total length of a maintenance rating training course is not set by the FAA. The course must be designed with sufficient time to result in a student obtaining a level of proficiency that enables the individual to inspect or perform maintenance on aircraft (in the category and class (as applicable)) and determine that the aircraft will be in a condition for safe operation and approved for return to service.
3.8.4 Student-to-Instructor Ratio. A training course should maintain a ratio of students to instructors that ensures safety and facilitates learning. It is recommended that training courses are limited to 25 students per instructor when conducting practical projects.
Student safety and an effective learning environment should be the priority of the training course provider when determining an appropriate student-to-instructor ratio.
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3.8.5 Course Critiques. The FAA encourages training course providers to give students the opportunity to submit a course critique at the end of the course. Such critiques may provide valuable information that can be used by the course provider to improve the training course. The FAA has supplied a sample course critique in Appendix D, Sample Course Critique.
3.9 FAA Course Acceptance. Only training courses accepted by the FAA will provide eligibility towards a light-sport repairman certificate. See Chapter 4 for additional information on submitting a training course for FAA acceptance.
3.9.1 Course Acceptance. The FAA will assign a course acceptance number to each training course accepted by the FAA and notify the training course provider by issuing an LOA.
A list of current FAA-accepted training courses is available at https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/gen_av/light_sport/LSA_repairmen_courses.
3.9.2 Course Denial. If the course does not include the appropriate course content as required by 14 CFR § 65.107(c) or (d), or if the course provider has not demonstrated they can meet 14 CFR § 65.107(e) (as evidenced by the requested course acceptance submittal documents), the FAA will not accept the training course. The FAA will notify the training course applicant the reasons for denial, in writing. A course provider may resubmit their training course for FAA review and acceptance at any time.
3.10 FAA Regulatory and Investigative Authority. See Chapter 2, paragraph 2.13 for additional information on FAA regulatory and investigative authority.
3.10.1 Training Course Noncompliance. If a training course provider is delivering training found to be in noncompliance with 14 CFR § 65.107(e), the basis of the FAA’s training course acceptance is no longer valid. The FAA will initiate the appropriate compliance or enforcement action to correct the noncompliance. Failure to correct the noncompliance may result in rescinding the FAA course acceptance and/or civil penalty, as appropriate.