The FAA recently launched a new website dedicated to clarifying the privileges, limitations, and process to obtain repairman certificates of varying types.
FAA Repairman Certificates provide a way to work hands-on in aviation maintenance without earning an A&P certificate.
The FAA issues three types of Repairman Certificates under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) Part 65, each with specific eligibility requirements, privileges, and limitations:
- Repairman General, typically employed by commercial repair stations and air carriers;
- Repairman Experimental Aircraft Builder; and
- Repairman Light Sport.
According to officials with the Experimental Aircraft Association, the section on light-sport repairmen is of particular interest to the general aviation community, as the privileges of these certificates were expanded by MOSAIC (Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification). Under the new rules, holders of the Repairman Light Sport certificates can now also conduct condition inspections on experimental amateur-built (E-AB) aircraft in addition to light-sport aircraft.
Light-sport repairmen with an inspection rating (LSRI) may inspect aircraft that they own, while those with a maintenance rating (LSRM) may inspect any E-AB and for hire. The new website explains the process for obtaining these certificates and lists the current course providers.
The website also contains a FAQ section explaining more details about the LSRI and LSRM certificates, including many questions EAA officials say they have heard from members since MOSAIC was announced and took effect last year.
As part of this FAQ, the FAA reiterated that most E-AB owners will need new operating limitations to take advantage of the new certificate privileges and outlines the process for doing so.
It also clarifies that co-owners and LLC owners are usually eligible to exercise repairmen certificate privileges on aircraft that they own on their own or in partnerships.
EAA officials added they continue to provide feedback to the FAA on the rollout of the new repairmen certificate privileges under MOSAIC.
“Current concerns include inconsistent application of the new policy across flight standards district offices (FSDOs), lack of course availability, and a desire to avoid the need for new operating limitations,” they said.
“While EAA will continue to advocate on these issues and more, this new website clarifies current FAA policy and provides a useful roadmap for interested aircraft owners, builders, and other repairman certificate applicants,” they concluded.
For more information: FAA.gov/Repairmen, EAA.org
Could we maybe have a flow chart or decision tree showing how this is organized? Something like “Is the airplane a light sport? (yes/no), then if yes, “Is it under Mosaic?” (yes/no), etc. until the end where it says “required certificate is . . . “.
Best Regards,
M/M