The FAA recently published a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking that would allow aviation maintenance technician schools to use competency-based training and satellite training locations.
Comments on the new rule are due by June 17, 2019.
In 2015, the FAA published a notice of proposed rule making (NPRM) titled “Aviation Maintenance Technician Schools,” proposing to amend 14 CFR Part 147. Several public comments encouraged the FAA to consider allowing competency-based training in place of set minimum times and permitting the use of satellite training locations.
The FAA’s proposed rule will allow for completion of training based on knowledge and skill requirements, and will outline requirements for competency-based training programs, including mandatory competency assessments. This program would provide a method for students with previous experience in the field or similar fields to get credit for their skills and knowledge, explain officials with the National Business Aviation Association.
“This proposed rule would allow more flexibility for students with relevant experience,” said Zach Ungerleider, Textron Aviation aftermarket sales manager for Texas and Louisiana, an A&P, and a member of NBAA’s Young Professionals Council. “It would require skill assessments at specific stages and the student won’t move on until they’ve mastered those tasks. This is a very practical approach to maintenance training. You can only learn so much sitting in the classroom — skills are best taught through hands-on training.”
Permitting training at satellite training locations would allow Part 147 training providers to train at high schools or other locations. According to FAA officials, this change will expand the ability to recruit and educate future mechanics.
“NBAA supports the FAA’s expanded scope of the original NPRM, allowing competency-based training and training at satellite locations,” said Brian Koester, NBAA’s senior manager of flight operations and regulations. “These changes provide greater flexibility for training mechanics, which will help maintenance training providers meet the growing needs of the aviation industry.”
Public comments are due to the FAA on or before June 17, 2019. NBAA officials encourage maintenance training providers and others with an interest in maintenance training to submit practical recommendations for implementation, particularly regarding the specific requirements for competency-based training programs in §147.22.
Now if we can get the same language for the Multi-Engine Airline Transport Pilot Certificate. Doesn’t matter how long you’ve been flying 135, or if you have a degree in Aviation from ERAU, or if you even hold an ATP Certificate for a decade, you still have to take the CTP course. DAMHIK.
Been waiting 30 years for something like this.
If one can pass the tests from the school of hard knocks, that is really all that matter. Who cares how you got the knowledge as long as you’ve got it.
Agreed. There has been a period of exclusivity where the existing mechanics and the FAA made it almost impossible to change careers and become a licensed mechanic. The written and practical tests should be open for challenge. If you can pass it the tests and a reasonable interview you should be licensed.
AMEN. The rules to become a licensed mechanic have need a major reexamination for years.
A 4 year college degree in mechanical engineering with an engine and structural focus should count for some of the training requirements but this is not allowed.
I person should be able to challenge the tests both written and academic to obtain a license.
Many seniors are looking for a career change but the rules won’t allow a method to bring these folks aboard.
As a degreed engineer and 30 year A&P, I can tell you that they are not the same. The engineering may give you a better understanding of how things work, but does not qualify anyone as an aircraft mechanic, or vice-versa. Neither are trivial, both required specific training and skills.
Finally, someone seems to be listening!! “Everything aviation” is competing against a multitude of other activities and career paths, “while Rome is burning”. This industry needs every bit of help it can muster. If we can get vocational aviation classes back into the high schools and establish an apprentice program for freshly minted ticket holders, we may be able to save it. I speak on this matter from personal experience. The Alton (Illinois) School district once had the J.B. Johnson Vocational School that provided the full airframe and powerplant classes to 11th and 12th graders, who wanted to pursue a career in aviation. It is now all gone. It created a great prep class for a trip to SIU-Carbondale and their AvTech program, which was accredited. The industry must push the FAA to take a different approach to all aspects of training (and airplane mods-field approvals, but that is a different discussion). When you look at the incorporated advances in technology in the automotive industry, the aviation industry looks a bunch of nose pickers. We can do better!! Vocational jobs are the back bone of the American workforce and the sooner we get re-established in training future technicians, the better off we will all be.