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.
4-1 CHAPTER 4. TRAINING COURSE FAA-ACCEPTANCE
4.1 Training Course FAA-Acceptance. This chapter provides information for potential training course providers who intend to submit a light-sport repairman training course to the FAA for acceptance. For purposes of this chapter, a potential training course provider is referred to as a training course provider. The FAA must accept a training course before the training course provider may deliver the course to students who seek to meet the requirements for light-sport repairman certification. Revision to any of the components of a training course after initial acceptance will require that the course provider resubmit the course to the FAA for review and acceptance prior to training on any changes. See Chapter 3, Light-Sport Aircraft Repairman Certificate Training Courses, for additional information on training courses. A light-sport repairman training course acceptance submission should include information on the following components:
• The training course content;
• A description of the course facilities, equipment, and materials;
• A description of the qualifications of course instructors;
• A sample of the course test; and
• A sample of the course Certificate of Completion.
4.2 Requesting Training Course Acceptance. A training course provider requesting FAA review and acceptance of a light-sport repairman training course should initially submit a letter of request to the FAA (see paragraph 4.2.2). Upon receiving the request, the FAA will contact the training course provider to arrange for submission of the training course content and additional documents to support the request (see paragraph 4.3). When the FAA finds that the training course meets requirements, and the training course provider has demonstrated they are able to meet course delivery requirements, the FAA will issue a course acceptance letter to the course provider for each training course request.
4.2.1 Privacy. The reviewing/accepting FAA office will keep training course proprietary information and any Personally Identifiable Information (PII) in a secure location that is only accessible by limited and appropriate FAA personnel.
4.2.2 Letter of Request. Submit a letter of request, containing the information listed in paragraph 4.2.2.1 to FAA’s Office of Safety Standards, Aircraft Maintenance Division:
To: 9-AWA-AFS-300-Correspondence@faa.gov Subject: Request for Light-Sport Repairman Training Course Acceptance Attention: Light-Sport Repairman Coordinator, AFS-320, Airman Section
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4.2.2.1 The letter of request should include the following information:
1. The name of the training course provider (i.e., the individual and/or organization) making the request.
2. Contact information for a representative of the training course provider, to include a contact person name, telephone number, email, and mailing address, for the document submission and course acceptance process.
3. The type of training course for which review is requested (i.e., an inspection rating course or a maintenance rating course).
4. The category and class (as applicable) of aircraft for which the course is designed.
5. A description of the course design, explaining how the course provides the training appropriate to a particular category, or class as applicable, of aircraft. For example, if designing the course using modules (such as described in Appendix B, Sample Maintenance Rating Training Course Content), include a description of how modules make up the course and provide the appropriate training (e.g., in Appendix B, Table B-1, Model Matrix for Issuance of a Certificate of Completion, describes what modules must be completed by an individual to be eligible for a Certificate of Completion for a particular aircraft category).
6. Contact information to allow the FAA to contact the training course provider (following FAA course acceptance) when necessary for the FAA to validate a student’s completion of a training course and passing of the test.
4.2.2.2 Initial requests should be submitted at least 60 calendar days prior to the course providers intended delivery of the course to allow for FAA review and notification of discrepancies and resubmission after correction.
4.3 Contents of a Training Course Submission. The contents of a training course submission must demonstrate to the FAA that the training course provider can develop and deliver a training course that meets the requirements of 14 CFR § 65.107. After submitting an initial request for a training course acceptance, the FAA will contact the training course provider to arrange submission of the necessary documents. A training course provider should ensure the submission includes the items in paragraph 4.3.1 through 4.3.4 below:
4.3.1 Training Course Content. The training course provider should provide a training course content that includes the following information to validate that the training course meets the requirements of 14 CFR § 65.107, as applicable:
1. Training course content. For an inspection rating training course, the course content must show at least 16 hours of content; see Appendix A for sample course content.
For a maintenance rating training course, see Appendix B for sample course content.
The appendices provide examples of course content; the training provider should
4-3 tailor the course to the category and class (as applicable) of aircraft the course is being designed for.
2. A description of how the training course provider will deliver the course content
(e.g., in-person classroom/lab delivery or distance learning delivery) and a statement of the maximum number of students the training course provider can support in a class. This information is necessary to determine the appropriateness of the facilities, equipment, and materials the training course provider describes.
3. A description of the facilities that will be used to deliver the training course content.
The description should be detailed enough that the FAA will be able to determine if the training course provider will have the appropriate facilities to deliver the training course content. It is helpful for the training course provider to include a facility diagram.
4. A description of the equipment that will be used to deliver the training course content.
The description should be detailed enough that the FAA will be able to determine if the training course provider will have the appropriate equipment to deliver the training course content. It is helpful for the training course provider to include a list of equipment that will be used to deliver the training course content.
5. A description of the materials that will be used to deliver the training course content.
The description should be detailed enough that the FAA will be able to determine if the training course provider will have the appropriate materials to deliver the training course content. It is helpful for the training course provider to include a list of materials that will be used to deliver the training course content.
4.3.2 Sample Certificate of Completion. The training course provider should include a sample of the Certificate of Completion that will be issued to students after completing the required training and passing a test on the contents of the course.
4.3.3 Course Test. The training course provider should include a sample course test. The sample test should be detailed enough to demonstrate to the FAA that the course test can determine if a student/applicant possesses the appropriate knowledge to obtain the privileges of a repairman certificate. It is recommended that course providers have more than one test or can otherwise vary the questions on tests to ensure the integrity of course tests. Course providers are not required to submit all tests to the FAA and the tests are not required to be accepted by the FAA. Similarly, if the course provider changes their tests, the tests are not required to be submitted to the FAA. However, the FAA may ask to review course tests at a later date to ensure they meet 14 CFR § 65.107(b)(4) (i.e., covers the contents of the course).
4.3.4 Instructor Qualifications. The training course provider should submit information demonstrating that each instructor used to teach a training course is appropriately qualified. The training course provider should identify the course or course content the instructor will be assigned to teach and submit information demonstrating that the instructor is specifically qualified to teach their assigned content. Although requested initially, the FAA may ask to review instructor qualifications at any time.
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4.4 FAA Action. The FAA will review the proposed training course and all supplemental materials to ensure the course meets applicable regulations and the course provider has demonstrated the ability to deliver the training. If the course or course provider does not meet all applicable regulatory requirements, the FAA will notify the course provider of all discrepancies in writing. The training course provider must resubmit the course after correcting all discrepancies if it continues to seek FAA acceptance of the course. Once the training course is found acceptable, the FAA will assign a course acceptance number to the course and will notify the training course provider of the course acceptance in writing.
4.5 Training Course Revisions. If training course content is revised, the training course provider must resubmit the course for FAA review and acceptance, as required by 14 CFR § 65.107(c) and (d), using the same procedures as for an initial submission (see paragraphs 4.2 and 4.3). However, the training course provider is only required to submit new or changed information supporting the revision. For example, it is not necessary to resubmit instructor qualifications or course tests if that information is unchanged as related to the revision.
Appendix A A-1 APPENDIX A. SAMPLE INSPECTION RATING TRAINING COURSE CONTENT A.1 General Information. The inspection rating course content in this appendix outlines sample training course content to meet the purpose of an inspection rating training course required by 14 CFR § 65.107(b).
A.2 Inspection Rating Course Content. An inspection rating training course must include 16 hours of course content. Each course must be designed for a particular category and class (as applicable) of aircraft and should include the general elements listed in Appendix A, as applicable.
A.2.1 Module System. A module system may be a beneficial method to develop course content because it may allow a repairman with an inspection rating to obtain additional category or class privileges, without having to repeat training already taken (e.g., training on proper use of safety techniques, torque procedures, and personal safety equipment that is applicable to all category and class privileges). Though the content of this appendix is not presented in a modular format, a modular format would be an acceptable method of training course format. See Appendix B, Sample Maintenance Rating Training Course Content, for an example of how to present training course content in a modular format.
A.2.2 Certificate of Completion. The training course provider is responsible for ensuring that a student is only issued a Certificate of Completion for an inspection rating and specified category and class privileges, as applicable, after completing of all training course content applicable to the corresponding aircraft category or class and passing of the course test.
A.2.3 Regulations and Guidance. Regulations and other guidance applicable to the experimental aircraft that a light-sport repairman will be privileged to work on, including:
1. Airworthiness Certificates and operating limitations.
2. Annual condition inspection record entry.
3. Airworthiness Directives (AD).
4. Manufacturer’s manuals, safety directives, etc.
5. Consensus standards (if applicable) for the category and class of aircraft that is the subject of the course.
6. Applicable FAA regulations and publications.
A.2.4 Inspection Procedures. Inspection procedures such as those described in Advisory Circular (AC) 20-106, Aircraft Inspection for the General Aviation Aircraft Owner, and AC 43.13-1, Acceptable Methods, Techniques, and Practices—Aircraft Inspection and Repair:
Appendix A A-2
1. Use of manufacturer’s data/manuals:
• Personal safety and manufacturer’s inspection checklists.
• Weight and Balance (W&B)/loading.
2. Detection of the following:
• Corrosion.
• Cracks.
• Deformation.
• Excessive wear.
3. Proper use of:
• Safety techniques.
• Torque procedures.
• Personal safety equipment.
A.2.5 Theory and Discussion. Aircraft theory of flight and discussion of aircraft systems to include proper operation and inspection of critical areas that are prone to failure or fatigue for at least the following systems:
1. Airframe, including:
• Instrumentation.
• Landing gear.
• Brakes.
• Flight controls.
• Rigging.
• Balloon envelope, basket, and burners, if applicable.
2. Engine, ignition, fuel, and oil systems.
3. Propeller and gear reduction unit, if applicable.
4. Accessories, including but not limited to:
• Ballistic parachute.
• Floats and skis.
5. For rotorcraft (gyroplanes and helicopters), include (refer to 14 CFR § 43.15):
• Drive shafts or similar system.
• The main rotor transmission gearbox for obvious defects.
• The main rotor and center section (or equivalent areas).
• The auxiliary rotor on helicopters (refer to 14 CFR § 43.15).
Appendix A A-3 A.2.6 Inspection Checklist.
1. Review the scope and detail of 14 CFR part 43 appendix D.
2. Use of an inspection checklist recommended by the manufacturer.
Note: The operating limitations issued to an experimental aircraft under 14 CFR § 91.319(i) may require the condition inspection to meet the scope and detail of 14 CFR part 43 appendix D. Therefore, any checklist used during training should be verified to ensure it meets this standard.
Appendix B B-1 APPENDIX B. SAMPLE MAINTENANCE RATING TRAINING COURSE CONTENT B.1 General Information. This appendix presents a sample of course content designed for a repairman certificate (light-sport) maintenance rating using a module system. A training course provider is not required to design their training using a module system; any format for training course design may be found acceptable by the FAA if the course meets the requirements of 14 CFR § 65.107. A training course should ensure a repairman applicant has the necessary knowledge and skills on inspection techniques and maintenance practices necessary to maintain a particular category and class (as applicable) of aircraft.
B.1.1 Mechanic ACS. The following sample course content provides a general outline that training course providers may utilize to meet the requirement of 14 CFR § 65.107(d).
This includes course 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) appropriate to the category and class (as applicable) of aircraft the course is being designed for.
B.1.2 Module System. This benefit of the module system is that it allows a repairman with a maintenance rating to obtain additional category or class privileges without having to repeat training already taken. The matrix in Table B-1 summarizes the modules that must be completed to issue a Certificate of Completion for the specified aircraft category, and class (as applicable). The FAA notes that this is a sample matrix only; the training course provider must specify required modules depending on the module-specific content if choosing to present course content in a module system.
B.1.3 Certificate of Completion. The training course provider is responsible for ensuring that a student is only issued a Certificate of Completion for a maintenance rating and specified category privileges after completion of all training modules applicable to the corresponding aircraft category and class (as applicable). For example, to be issued a Certificate of Completion for a maintenance rating for airplane category privileges, the training course provider would ensure the student has completed training and a course test on Modules 1, 2, 3, and 4. If that same repairman then completed Module 10, the repairman could be issued a Certificate of Completion for powered-lift category privileges (as Modules 1, 2, and 3 are also required for a powered-lift rating but would have been completed when obtaining the airplane privileges).