The FAA has accepted the Aircraft Electronics Association’s avionics technician apprenticeship program to satisfy regulatory compliance for issuing a repairman certificate.
The announcement was made by Jackie L. Black, manager of the FAA’s Aircraft Maintenance Division, during AEA’s 64th International Convention & Trade Show in Dallas, Texas.
“After careful review of the AEA avionics technician apprenticeship program, we find that this program will assess the competencies of the avionics technician,” wrote Black in a June 16, 2021, letter to the AEA. “We agree that successful completion of this program will meet the intent of the regulation stated in 14 CFR section 65.101 (a)(5)(ii) for the issuance of a repairman’s certificate.”
FAA approval follows prior approval of the AEA’s avionics technician apprenticeship program from the United States Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration, Office of Apprenticeship.
“Now that the avionics technician apprenticeship program has been accepted by the Federal Aviation Administration and approved by the Department of Labor, AEA-member repair stations have another tool to grow their own and successfully recruit, train, and retain qualified technicians,” said Mike Adamson, AEA president and chief executive officer. “It is another critical step in our industry’s ongoing workforce development efforts and offers a new career pathway where individuals can simultaneously earn a competitive wage, gain knowledge with structured learning and on-the-job training, and achieve industry-recognized credentials.”
The avionics apprenticeship program was first created by a team of AEA-member repair station and manufacturer representatives who partnered with the AEA and the Urban Institute. Founded in 1968, the Washington, D.C.-based Urban Institute is a nonprofit research organization that collaborates with organizations to finds strategies to address future obstacles.
great news