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).
Appendix B B-1 Table B-1. Model Matrix for Issuance of a Certificate of Completion Module/Aircraft Category and Class (as Applicable) Airplane Rotorcraft Glider Lighter-Than-Air Powered- Lift Powered Parachute Weight- Shift- Control Gyroplane Helicopter Airship Balloon
1. Regulatory Overview X X X X X X X X X
2. Airframe General X X X X X X X
3. Engine and Propeller General X X X X X X X X
4. Airplane Category Specific X
5. Weight-Shift-Control Category Specific X
6. Powered Parachute Category Specific X 7a. Lighter-Than-Air Category – Airship Specific X 7b. Lighter-Than Air Category – Balloon Specific X
8. Glider Category Specific X 9a. Rotorcraft Category – Gyroplane Specific X 9b. Rotorcraft Category – Helicopter Specific X
10. Powered-Lift Category Specific X
Appendix B B-1 B.1.4 Credit For Prior Training. Any particular module may contain duplicate training included by the training course provider in a different training module. A training course provider may, at their discretion, credit a student with the completion of course content when the provider can verify the student has successfully completed prior training of that specific course content. As discussed in paragraph 3.8, it is recommended that training course providers retain records to support crediting of modules. The FAA recommends the training course provider document the course content that was credited (e.g., prior training as course credit) versus that which was specifically trained at the training provider.
B.1.4.1 Course tests are required by 14 CFR § 65.107(b)(4) and validate the successful transfer of knowledge and skill as an outcome of training. A student cannot be credited with test results from an area of course content that was taken previously and credited. If a modular course design is used, the course test administered at the completion of the training course must cover all modules in that course, regardless of if the student took one of those modules as a part of a previous course and test.
B.2 Module 1: Regulatory Overview.
1. Regulations. Regulations overview consisting at a minimum of the following: the light-sport-related sections of 14 CFR parts 1, 21, 22, 39, 43, 45, 65, and 91.
Including the rules on the emergency locator transmitter (ELT), Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B), and transponder requirements.
2. Consensus Standards. The applicable FAA-accepted, industry-developed ASTM International consensus standards including continued airworthiness requirements and inspection practices/techniques, use of hand tools, torque wrenches, safety practices, and identification of aviation hardware.
3. Directives. Use of manufacturer’s safety directives and FAA Airworthiness Directives (AD).
4. Instructions and Records. Use of airframe, engine, appliance, and propeller manufacturer’s manuals, instructions, and maintenance recordkeeping.
5. Safety. Personal safety.
B.3 Module 2: Airframe General.
1. Weight and Balance (W&B). Weight, balance, and loading.
2. Repairs and Alterations. Performing minor repairs and minor alterations.
3. Composites. Inspection of composite structures and minor repairs.
4. Electrical. Electrical system, theory, inspection, and troubleshooting.
5. Construction. Material and processes.
6. Corrosion Control. Corrosion cause and prevention.
Appendix B B-2
7. Lines and Fittings. Fluid lines and fittings.
8. Ground Handling and Servicing. Ground operations and servicing.
B.4 Module 3: Engine and Propeller General.
1. Theory. Theory of 2- and 4-cycle engine operation (fuel, magneto and electronic ignition, and lubrication systems).
2. Engine Maintenance. Service, inspection, and maintenance of engines, including troubleshooting.
3. Cooling Systems. Inspection, checking, troubleshooting, servicing, and repair of engine-cooling systems.
4. Propellers. Theory, inspection, and maintenance of propellers and ground adjustable propellers.
5. Run-Ups. Engine run-up practices and procedures.
6. Folding Propellers. Servicing, inspection, and maintenance of feathering or folding propellers used on gliders.
7. Engine Instruments. Inspection, checking, servicing, and troubleshooting of electrical or mechanical engine instrumentation.
8. Servicing. Servicing of oil and fluids.
9. Accessories. Removal and replacement of engine accessories such as spark plugs, exhaust systems, wiring, carburetor, fuel pumps, etc.
Note: This module is intended to include at least three engines (e.g., one air-cooled 2-cycle, one air-cooled 4-cycle engine, and one water-cooled engine of either 2-cycle or 4-cycle) that are representative of at least two different aircraft categories. Alternatively, the training course provider may use training aids, mockups, and detailed course presentation materials for use in place of an actual aircraft. Aircraft and/or mockups do not need to be in an airworthy condition but must be complete enough to conduct the maintenance and inspection training for this module.
B.5 Module 4: Airplane Category Specific.
1. Theory. Theory and operation of flight controls.
2. Rigging. Aircraft rigging, including flight controls, landing wires, flying wires.
3. Covering Maintenance. Removal and installation of sail cloth covering on wings and tail surfaces.
4. Covering Inspections. Inspection of fabric coverings on fuselage, wings, and tail surfaces.
5. Disassembly. Disassembly and assembly of wings, flight controls, accessories.
Appendix B B-3
6. Engine Removal and Installation. Removal and installation of the engine, including fuel system, instrumentation, and accessories.
7. Instruments and Ignition Systems. Inspection and troubleshooting of aircraft/engine instrumentation and magneto and electronic ignition systems.
8. Manuals and Data. Use of manufacturer’s manuals and technical data during projects.
9. Critical Areas. Identification and inspection of critical areas.
10. Airframe Structure. Inspection and minor repairs and minor alterations to applicable airframe structures.
11. Ballistic Parachutes. Theory, installation, operation, and inspection of ballistic parachutes.
12. Landing Gear. Inspection and maintenance of landing gear including floats (fixed and amphibious), fixed and retractable landing gear, wheels, skis, and brakes.
13. Fuel System. Theory of fuel system operation and inspection.
14. W&B. Weight and Balance.
Note: This module is intended to include at least two airframes that are representative of the airplane category. Alternatively, the training course provider may use training aids, mockups, and detailed course presentation materials for use in place of an actual aircraft. Aircraft and/or mockups do not need to be in an airworthy condition but must be complete enough to conduct the maintenance and inspection training for this module.
B.6 Module 5: Weight-Shift-Control Category Specific.
1. Theory. Theory and operation of flight controls.
2. Ready to Fly or Store. Assembly and disassembly of the aircraft.
3. Rigging. Aircraft rigging.
4. Manuals and Data. Use of manufacturer’s manuals and technical data during projects.
5. Covering Material. Inspection, removal, and installation of fabric covering material.
6. Airframe Structures. Inspection and minor repairs to applicable airframe structures.
7. Engine Assembly. Inspection, removal, and installation of the engine and accessories.
8. Engine Instruments and Ignition Systems. Inspection and troubleshooting of aircraft and engine instrumentation and ignition systems.
9. Fuel System. Theory of fuel system, operation, and inspection.
10. Landing Gear. Inspection and maintenance of landing gear, wheels, and brakes.
11. Ballistic Parachutes. Theory, installation, operation, and inspection of ballistic parachutes.
12. Capacities. Weight and loading.