Page 10 Par 101 NOTE: Certificated part 145 repair station repairman, airframe mechanics, powerplant mechanics, and trained repairmen (LSA) are certified under part 65.
NOTE: Maintenance providers must have manufacturers’ maintenance data and tools to inspect and maintain the aircraft to return the aircraft to service in a condition for safe operation.
NOTE: To perform an annual condition inspection on ELSA certificated under § 21.191(i), certificated part 145 repair stations; certificated part 65 A&P mechanics; and repairmen (LSA) must perform the inspections in accordance with inspection procedures developed by the aircraft manufacturer. See § 91.319(e)(f)(g).
102. CLASSES OF LSA IDENTIFIED ON REPAIRMAN (LSA) CERTIFICATES.
a. LSA Classes. Repairman (LSA) certificates are issued for the following LSA classes:
(1) Airplane.
(2) Glider.
(3) Lighter-than-air: balloon and airship.
(4) Weight-shift-control aircraft.
(5) Powered parachute.
(6) Gyroplane (limited to gyroplanes issued experimental certificates under § 21.191(i)).
b. Inspection or Maintenance Eligibility. The class of aircraft eligible for inspection or maintenance is identified on the repairman (LSA) certificate.
103. BASIC ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS TO QUALIFY FOR A REPAIRMAN (LSA) CERTIFICATE. An applicant for a repairman (LSA) certificate must:
• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Read, speak, write, and understand English. If you cannot meet one or more of these requirements due to medical reasons, the FAA may place a limitation(s) on your certificate and rating.
• Demonstrate the requisite skill to determine if an LSA is in a condition for safe operation (e.g., by a Certificate of Completion from an acceptable training program).
• Be a U.S. citizen, or a citizen of a foreign country who has lawfully been admitted for permanent residence in the United States.
104. REPAIRMAN (LSA) RATINGS. The repairman (LSA) certificate has two ratings:
“inspection” or “maintenance.” The rating is identified on the repairman certificate with the appropriate limitation.
a. Inspection Rating Overview. The owner of an ELSA may apply for a repairman certificate with an inspection rating after completion of the required 16 hour training course. The training must be for the same class of aircraft for which the owner seeks inspection privileges.
This rating allows an aircraft owner to perform the required annual condition inspection on an aircraft that he or she owns, which has been issued an airworthiness certificate under § 21.191(i).
The aircraft will be identified on the owner’s repairman certificate by registration and serial number. If an individual owns several similar makes and models of LSA or owns an LSA in another class, that individual will be issued a repairman certificate that lists each aircraft that the repairman is eligible to inspect if the required training is completed.
b. Maintenance Rating Overview.
(1) Any individual may apply for a repairman (LSA) certificate with a maintenance rating after completion of the required training for a specific class of LSA. The length of required training varies depending on the class of aircraft for which the owner seeks privileges.
A repairman with a maintenance rating may perform maintenance and required inspections on SLSA within the class of his or her rating. A repairman may also hold several aircraft class ratings on his or her repairman certificate. Each rating will also allow the individual to perform the annual condition inspection for LSA within that class.
(2) Prior to approving any aircraft or part for return to service the repairman performing the work must have previously performed the work concerned satisfactorily. If the repairman has not previously performed the work, he or she may show his or her ability to do the work by performing it to the satisfaction of the FAA or by performing it under the direct supervision of an appropriately certificated, rated, and experienced mechanic or repairman. The repairman performing the work also must understand the current instructions of the manufacturer and the maintenance manuals for the work. The FAA would not consider it appropriate for a repairman with a maintenance rating to perform an engine overhaul for the first time on a two or four-cycle engine unless that repairman, for example, could show that he or she has successfully completed additional training on the overhaul of the specific make and model engine from the engine manufacturer or other accepted training provider. See the current edition of ASTM F2483, paragraph 9.
105. THRU 109. RESERVED.
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Page 12 Par 110 SECTION 2. REPAIRMAN (LIGHT-SPORT AIRCRAFT) WITH AN INSPECTION RATING “Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.”—Leo Weston, former FAA Inspector
110. PRIVILEGES AND LIMITATIONS OF A REPAIRMAN (LSA) CERTIFICATE WITH AN INSPECTION RATING § 65.107. A person holding a repairman (LSA) certificate with an inspection rating is limited to performing the annual condition inspection on an ELSA certificated under § 21.191(i)(1) that the repairman owns and that is identified on the repairman certificate by the aircraft registration and serial number. Non-ownership of the aircraft identified on the holder’s repairman certificate will suspend the privileges of the certificate.
NOTE: Section 65.107 certificated repairmen (LSA) may not return to service a TC’d or amateur-built aircraft.
111. SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS TO OBTAIN A REPAIRMAN (LSA) CERTIFICATE WITH AN INSPECTION RATING. To obtain the certificate, the owner of an ELSA must successfully complete a 16-hour training course acceptable to the FAA on the inspection requirements that focus on the particular class of ELSA owned by the repairman.
112. TYPES OF TRAINING COURSES FOR A REPAIRMAN (LSA) CERTIFICATE WITH AN INSPECTION RATING. There are six courses; one for each class of ELSA. They are:
• Airplane.
• Glider.
• Lighter-than-air: balloon and airship.
• Weight-shift-control aircraft.
• Powered parachute.
• Gyroplane.
113. CONTENTS OF A REPAIRMAN (LSA) INSPECTION RATING TRAINING COURSE. The FAA has audited each 16-hour training course that it has specifically determined to be acceptable, and has found each course adequate to train an individual with a limited maintenance background to properly inspect his or her own ELSA. The training is to a level of proficiency that will enable the repairman, without assistance, to make a sound judgment whether or not the aircraft is in a condition for safe operation. Each of the six inspection rating training courses should contain at least the following elements:
a. Regulations and Guidance. Regulations and other guidance applicable to LSA, including:
(1) Operating limitations.
(2) Annual condition inspection record entry.
(3) ADs.
(4) Manufacturer’s safety directives.
(5) Consensus standard for the specific class of LSA that is the subject of the course.
b. Inspection Procedures. Inspection procedures as found in the current edition of AC 43.13-1, Acceptable Methods, Techniques, and Practices—Aircraft Inspection and Repair:
(1) Use of manufacturer’s data/manuals:
(a) Personal safety and manufacturer’s inspection checklists.
(b) W&B/loading.
(2) Detection of the following:
(a) Corrosion.
(b) Cracks.
(c) Deformation.
(d) Excessive wear.
(3) Proper use of:
(a) Safety techniques.
(b) Torque procedures.
(c) Personal safety equipment.
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c. 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:
(a) Instrumentation.
(b) Landing gear.
(c) Brakes.
(d) Flight controls.
(e) Rigging.
(f) 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:
(a) Ballistic parachute.
(b) Floats and skis.
d. Inspection Checklist. Use of an inspection checklist recommended by the manufacturer or, for airplanes, the checklist located in the current edition of AC 90-89, Amateur-Built Aircraft and Ultralight Flight Testing Handbook, appendix 1. The inspection rating training course will also address recording the inspection in the aircraft maintenance records.
e. Review of Training. Review/critique of training provided.
f. Test. A final knowledge test that contains no less than 50 multiple choice questions covering the complete course. For an applicant to be considered as having successfully completed the course, he or she should achieve an 80 percent score or higher on the test the first time it is given.
114. AFTER THE TEST.
a. FAA Repairman (LSA) Certificate with Inspection Rating. After satisfactorily completing the test, the applicant takes the course provider’s certificate of completion and additional documentation (described in paragraph 127) to the local Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), where upon review, an FAA repairman (LSA) certificate with inspection rating will be issued. (See Appendix 2, Figure 6, Sample FAA Form 8060-4, Temporary Airman Certificate (Maintenance Rating, Weight-Shift-Control Aircraft).)
b. Certificate of Completion. A signed certificate of completion declares that the individual has passed the course’s knowledge test and has demonstrated the skills necessary to perform the duties of the repairman (LSA) with the inspection rating. The repairman keeps the original certificate of training for his records. The FSDO keeps a copy for processing.
115. THRU 119. RESERVED.
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SECTION 3. REPAIRMAN (LIGHT-SPORT AIRCRAFT) WITH A MAINTENANCE RATING “Any unknown is unacceptable in aviation.”—Angelo Mastrulo, Mechanic
120. PRIVILEGES AND LIMITATIONS OF A REPAIRMAN (LSA) CERTIFICATE WITH A MAINTENANCE RATING. A person holding a repairman (LSA) certificate with a maintenance rating may perform maintenance and required inspections on SLSA and perform annual condition inspections on ELSA. The repairman can also perform ADs and or Aircraft Manufacturer Safety Directives issued against FAA-approved products installed on SLSA.
Repairman privileges do not extend to performing maintenance on aircraft issued a standard airworthiness certificate or any kind of special airworthiness certificates other than those issued under §§ 21.190 and 21.191(i), even if those aircraft meet the definition of LSA as identified in § 1.1 (e.g., Piper J-3 Cub or RV-4). Each airman is also limited to the appropriate class of aircraft on which he or she received training (e.g., weight-shift-control aircraft or powered parachutes).
121. SPECIFIC HOUR REQUIREMENTS TO OBTAIN A REPAIRMAN (LSA) CERTIFICATE WITH A MAINTENANCE RATING. The applicant for a maintenance rating must successfully complete one of the five class rating courses that range between 80 to 120 hours. Each course must be acceptable to the FAA. Courses specifically determined to be acceptable to the FAA have been assigned an FAA course number. Courses without an FAA course number may not be acceptable to the FAA. The training course requirements are based on a modular system composed of core modules and specific class modules. Combinations of core and specific class modules determine the number of hours required for each individual class of aircraft. Each training course should address the inspection techniques and maintenance practices necessary to maintain that particular class of LSA.
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122. TYPES OF TRAINING COURSES FOR A REPAIRMAN (LSA) WITH A MAINTENANCE RATING. There are five courses, which, by class, are:
• Airplane.
• Glider.
• Lighter-than-air: balloon and airship.
• Powered parachute.
• Weight-shift-control aircraft.
NOTE: The FAA will not provide a gyroplane course because gyroplanes are not eligible for a special airworthiness certificate in the light-sport category under § 21.190 at this revision.
123. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TRAINING COURSES.
a. The Repairman (LSA) Maintenance Rating Course. Unlike the fixed 16-hour repairman (LSA) inspection rating course, the repairman (LSA) maintenance rating course is designed to be flexible and allow a repairman (LSA) to earn multiple ratings without duplicating training already received. The requirements are structured in modules for which the repairman can customize training for the class of LSA that he or she will maintain. There are three required “core” modules and five “class” modules. Course length depends on the complexity of the aircraft addressed in the course.
b. Five Classes of Eligible SLSA. There are five classes of SLSA eligible for maintenance training; they are airplane, weight-shift-control aircraft, powered parachute, lighterthan-air, and glider. Since gyroplanes cannot be certificated as SLSA, no maintenance rating for gyroplanes is currently available. The modules are designed on a 65 percent lecture and 35 percent practical training format. All training courses should result in a level of proficiency that will enable the repairman, without assistance, to perform maintenance on the aircraft so that when the work is completed the aircraft is in a condition for safe operation. To ensure this standard of training, the course should be limited to 16 students per instructor for a lecture and 8 students for each practical project. The total number of students may increase to 25 students per instructor for a lecture and 13 students or less for each practical project if the training facility is an FAA-approved 14 CFR part 147 school or can meet the requirements of part 147, §§ 147.13, 147.15, 147.17, and 147.19.
NOTE: Each individual module should have either a review or a test. Each maintenance course should have a final test of no less than 50 test questions with multiple-choice answers that address each applicable module. The applicant should achieve an 80 percent score or higher on the final test to pass the course. If the applicant fails the final test, the training facility may retest the applicant on the module(s) failed. The retest should have a different set of test questions than the original test and only address the material the applicant failed. The applicant should take the retest within 30 days from the date of the failed test.
124. INFORMATION CONTAINED IN EIGHT INDIVIDUAL TRAINING MODULES.
a. Module 1: (16 hours) Regulatory/Maintenance Overview (Core Module). This module should contain the following:
(1) Regulations overview: 14 CFR parts 1, 21, 39, 43, 45, 65, and 91.
(2) Industry-developed ASTM consensus standards including, but not limited to, continued airworthiness requirements and inspection practices/techniques, use of hand tools, torque wrenches, safety practices, and identification of aviation hardware.
(3) Use of manufacturer’s safety directives and FAA ADs.
(4) Use of airframe, engine, appliance, and propeller manufacturer’s manuals, instructions, and maintenance recordkeeping.
(5) Personal safety.
(6) Review or test.
b. Module 2: (24 hours) Airframe General (Core Module). The training provider should provide students with at least two representative aircraft or have training aids, mockups and detailed course presentation materials for use in place of actual LSA. The examples used on the mockups need not to be in an Airworthy condition but must be complete enough to conduct maintenance and inspection training for any practice session. This module should contain the following:
(1) Weight, balance, and loading.
(2) Performing minor repairs and minor alterations.
(3) Inspection of composite structures and minor repairs.
(4) Electrical system, theory, inspection, and troubleshooting.
(5) Material and processes.
(6) Corrosion cause and prevention.
(7) Fluid lines and fittings.
(8) Ground operations and servicing.
(9) Review or test.
c. Module 3: (45 hours) Engine and Propeller (Core Module). The training provider should make at least three representative engines (e.g., two different two-cycle engines and one four-cycle engine) available for this module. This module should contain the following:
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(1) Theory of two- and four-cycle engine operation (fuel, magneto and electronic ignition, and lubrication systems).
(2) Service, inspection, and maintenance of engines.
(3) Troubleshooting of two- and four-cycle engines.
(4) Inspection, checking, troubleshooting, service, and repair of engine-cooling systems.
(5) Theory, inspection, and maintenance of propellers and ground adjustable propellers.
(6) Engine run-up practices and procedures.
(7) Service, inspection, and maintenance of feathering or folding propellers used on gliders.
(8) Inspection, checking, servicing, and troubleshooting electrical or mechanical engine instrumentation.
(9) Servicing of oil and fluids.
(10) Removal and replacement of engine accessories such as spark plugs, exhaust systems, wiring, carburetor, fuel pumps, etc.
(11) Review or test.
d. Module 4: (35 hours) Airplane Class (Class Module). The training provider should make at least two representative airframes, or have training aids, mockups, and detailed course presentation materials for use in place of actual LSA. The examples used on the mockups do not need to be in an Airworthy condition but must be complete enough to conduct maintenance and inspection training available for this module. This module should contain the following:
(1) Theory and operation of flight controls.
(2) Aircraft rigging including flight controls, landing wires, and flying wires.
(3) Removal and installation of sail cloth covering on wings and tail surfaces.
(4) Inspection of fabric coverings on fuselage, wings, and tail surfaces.
(5) Disassembly and assembly of wings, flight controls, and accessories.
(6) Removal and installation of the engine, including fuel system, instrumentation, and accessories.
(7) Inspection and troubleshooting of aircraft/engine instrumentation, magneto, and electronic ignition systems.
(8) Use of manufacturer’s manuals and technical data during projects.
(9) Identification and inspection of critical areas.
(10) Inspection and minor repairs to applicable airframe structures.
(11) Ballistic parachutes: theory, installation, operation, and inspection.
(12) Inspection and maintenance of floats/repositionable landing gear, wheels, and brakes.
(13) Theory of fuel system operation and inspection.
(14) W&B.
(15) Review or test.
e. Module 5: (19 hours) Weight-Shift-Control Class (Class Module). The training provider should make at least two representative aircraft available, or have training aids, mockups, and detailed course presentation materials for use in place of actual LSA. The examples used on the mockups do not need to be in an Airworthy condition but must be complete enough to conduct maintenance and inspection training for this module. This module should contain the following:
(1) Theory and operation of flight controls.
(2) Assembly and disassembly of the aircraft.
(3) Aircraft rigging.
(4) Use of manufacturer’s manuals and technical data during projects.
(5) Inspection, removal, and installation of fabric covering material.
(6) Inspection and minor repairs to applicable airframe structures.
(7) Inspection, removal, and installation of the engine and accessories.
(8) Inspection and troubleshooting of aircraft and engine instrumentation and ignition systems.
(9) Theory of fuel system, operation, and inspection.
(10) Inspection and maintenance of landing gear, wheels, and brakes.
(11) Ballistic parachutes: theory, installation, operation, and inspection.
(12) Weight and loading.
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(13) Review or test.
f. Module 6: (19 hours) Powered Parachute Class (Class Module). The training provider should make at least two representative aircraft available, or have training aids, mockups, and detailed course presentation materials for use in place of actual LSA. The examples used on the mockups do not need to be in an Airworthy condition but must be complete enough to conduct maintenance and inspection training for this module. This module should contain the following:
(1) Theory and operation of flight controls.
(2) Assembly and disassembly of the aircraft.
(3) Aircraft rigging and safety practices.
(4) Inspection of the parachute, including removal and replacement.
(5) Inspection and minor repairs to applicable airframe structures.
(6) Inspection, removal, and installation of the engine and accessories.
(7) Inspection and troubleshooting of aircraft and engine instrumentation.
(8) Use of manufacturer’s manuals and technical data during projects.
(9) Weight and loading.
(10) Inspection of landing gear, wheels, and brakes.
(11) Review or test.
g. Module 7: (64 hours) Lighter-Than-Air Class (Class Module). The training provider should make at least one representative aircraft available, or have training aids, mockups, and detailed course presentation materials for use in place of actual LSA. The examples used on the mockups do not need to be in an Airworthy condition but must be complete enough to conduct maintenance and inspection training for this module. This module should contain the following:
(1) Theory and operation of lighter-than-air aircraft.
(2) Inspection of fabric and minor repairs.
(3) Inspection of the burner assembly, basket, and fuel tanks.
(4) Removal and installation of baskets and burners.
(5) Cleaning of burners and nozzles.
(6) Use of manufacturer’s manuals and technical data during projects.