On December 27, 2020, Congress enacted the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which contained the Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act (the Act). Section 135 of the Act directed the FAA to publish interim final regulations to establish requirements for issuing aviation maintenance technician school (AMTS) certificates and ratings and general operating requirements for holders of such certificates. The improvements provided by the interim final rule (IFR) will help educate the future aviation maintenance workforce and meet the demands of the evolving aviation community. Under the new rule, AMTS will revise their curriculum and incorporate technical training that aligns with the mechanic airman certification standards.
The IFR was published in the Federal Register on May 24, 2022.
The new regulations will be effective on September 21, 2022.
AMTS must continue to conduct training operations to meet the currently effective part 147 regulations, until 9/21/2022.
· The interim final rule, containing the new regulations and preamble, can be found in the rulemaking Docket here: https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FAA-2021-0237
· FAA-S-ACS-1, Aviation Mechanic General, Airframe, and Powerplant Airman Certification Standards, dated November 1, 2021, incorporated by reference into part 65 and part 147, can be found at www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing and also in the rulemaking docket referenced above.
· FAA-S-8081-26B, Aviation Mechanic General, Airframe, and Powerplant Practical Test Standards, dated November 1, 2021, incorporated by reference into part 65, can be found at www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing and also in the rulemaking docket referenced above.
· Refer to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document attached to this email, for additional information regarding the IFR.
Guidance Information
The revised Advisory Circular AC 147-3C, Certification and Operation of Aviation Maintenance Technician Schools, is available in the rulemaking docket referenced above and here:
· Before September 21, 2022: https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/draft_docs/afs_ac/
· After September 21, 2022: https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/advisory_circulars/
The Office of Safety Standards, Aircraft Maintenance Division (AFS-300) has developed Notice N8900.616, Part 147 Aviation Maintenance Technician Schools (AMTS) New Regulations and OpSpecs.
· The notice announces the revisions to operations specifications (OpSpecs) and related guidance regarding the IFR, and contains instructions for GA Safety Assurance office personnel to ensure all part 147 AMTS meet the new regulations upon September 21, 2022, the effective date of the IFR.
· The notice is directed at FAA personnel who have responsibilities related to part 147 AMTS.
· All part 147 certification and surveillance guidance sections in FAA Order 8900.1 have been revised. Prior to September 21, 2022, these sections are made available through this notice.
· This notice is available on the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) website at https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/orders_notices, and the Dynamic Regulatory System at https://drs.faa.gov.
After September 21, 2022, the revised Part 147 guidance will be published in Order 8900.1 and available in the Dynamic Regulatory System at https://drs.faa.gov. The revised guidance includes the following sections:
· Volume 2, Chapter 12, Section 1, Phase 1—Preapplication
· Volume 2, Chapter 12, Section 2, Phase 2—Formal Application
· Volume 2, Chapter 12, Section 3, Phase 3—Design Assessment
· Volume 2, Chapter 12, Section 4, Phase 4—Performance Assessment
· Volume 2, Chapter 12, Section 5, Phase 5—Certification Administrative Functions
· Volume 3, Chapter 18, Section 11, Parts A and B Operations Specifications for Part 147 Aviation Maintenance Technician Schools
· Volume 6, Chapter 10, Section 1, Introduction to Aviation Maintenance Technician School (AMTS) Surveillance
· Volume 6, Chapter 10, Section 2, Inspect AMTS Organizational Management
· Volume 6, Chapter 10, Section 3, Inspect AMTS Training Operations
· Volume 6, Chapter 10, Section 4, Inspect AMTS Facilities
· Volume 6, Chapter 10, Section 5, Evaluate an AMTS Initial Curriculum or Curriculum Revision
· Volume 6, Chapter 10, Section 6, Evaluate/Approve an AMTS Quality Control System/Procedure
· Volume 6, Chapter 10, Section 7, Inspect an AMTS Quality Control System
Compliance with Part 147 Regulations
Part 147 certificate holders must conduct all training operations under the applicable part 147 regulations effective on the date of operation.
· Prior to 9/21/2022, certificate holders must conduct training operations in accordance with existing part 147 requirements.
· Upon 9/21/2022, certificate holders must conduct training operations in accordance with new part 147 requirements promulgated by the IFR. Therefore, certificate holders may not conduct part 147 training operations until all of the new part 147 requirements have been met and the applicable OpSpecs have been issued.
Section 135 of the Act states that current part 147 shall have no force or effect on or after the effective date of the IFR: September 21, 2022. As soon as possible prior to the effective date of the IFR, the certificate holder should coordinate with its responsible Flight Standards office to prepare to meet the new requirements.
· Upon September 21, 2022, if the certificate holder has not met the new/revised regulatory requirements of the new part 147 regulations, the certificate holder’s OpSpecs issued under the former part 147 will cease to be in effect. The responsible Flight Standards office will notify the certificate holder that it’s part 147 OpSpecs are no longer in effect and the AMTS may not operate as an FAA-certificated AMTS until it demonstrates compliance with the new regulations and new OpSpecs have been issued.
· If a certificate holder is unable to comply with the new part 147 regulations for an extended period of time, and the certificate holder does not cease operations and surrender its Air Agency Certificate, the responsible Flight Standards office will take the appropriate certificate action.
To access frequently asked questions select this link. https://www.faasafety.gov/files/notices/2022/May/FAQ.pdf
For more information contact FAA Office of Safety Standards, Aircraft Maintenance Division at 202-267-1675, or 9-AWA-AFS-300-Correspondence@faa.gov
