AMTSociety Comments Regarding Docket No. FAA-2010-1060

AMTSociety Board of Directors

www.amtsociety.org

Response from Edward L. Hall, Federal Aviation Administration

Thank you for your e mail and attached comments. It is evident from the number and content of comments received as a result of the Federal Register Notice that a considerable amount of misunderstanding exist with regard to Title 14 CFR part 65, specifically 65.91 and 65.93.

The FAA does not seek to change an existing rule however the FAA does seek to re-established consistence and standardization when applied to both Inspection Authorization (IA) initial application and renewals, especially with regard to the previously troublesome term actively engaged as required by 65.91 (noted herein).

65.93 Inspection authorization: Renewal.

(a) To be eligible for renewal of an inspection authorization for a 2-year period an applicant must present evidence during the month of March of each odd-numbered year, at an FAA Flight Standards District Office or an International Field Office, that the applicant still meets the requirements of §65.91(c) (1) through (4). In addition, during the time the applicant held the inspection authorization, the applicant must show completion of one of the activities in §65.93(a) (1) through (5) below by March 31 of the first year of the 2-year inspection authorization period, and completion of one of the five activities during the second year of the 2-year period:

65.91 Inspection authorization.

(a) An application for an inspection authorization is made on a form and in a manner prescribed by the Administrator.

(b) An applicant who meets the requirements of this section is entitled to an inspection authorization.

(c) To be eligible for an inspection authorization, an applicant must —

(1) Hold a currently effective mechanic certificate with both an airframe rating and a powerplant rating, each of which is currently effective and has been in effect for a total of at least 3 years;

(2) Have been actively engaged, for at least the 2-year period before the date he applies, in maintaining aircraft certificated and maintained in accordance with this chapter;

(3) Have a fixed base of operations at which he may be located in person or by telephone during a normal working week but it need not be the place where he will exercise his inspection authority;

(4) Have available to him the equipment, facilities, and inspection data necessary to properly inspect airframes, powerplants, propellers, or any related part or appliance; and

It appears from the comments received thus far including those provided by the AMT Society, that an important part of an existing regulation has been applied previously based on subjective and judgmental decisions that have been inconsistent in the past for which we wish to correct.

The FAA wishes to clarify and restate existing regulatory requirements as applied to a mechanic or IA, by defining and seeking additional industry comments that could further define actively engaged in FSIMS Order 8900.1 along with encouraging mechanic/ IA continued education.

Your assistance in that regard would be of greater benefit to the aviation industry and to the existing professional mechanics and IA authorization holders that make our industry so great.