Revision of Certification Requirements: Mechanics and Repairmen

SUMMARY: The FAA is withdrawing a previously published NPRM (July 9,

1998, 63 FR 37172) that proposed to amend the certification and

training requirements for mechanics and repairmen. The NPRM was the

result of the completion of the review of the certification

requirements for mechanics and repairmen by the Aviation Rulemaking

Advisory Committee (ARAC). Proposals made in the NPRM were based on the

ARAC recommendation forwarded to the FAA in the form of a draft NPRM.

During the comment period for the NPRM, more than 1,500 members of the

aviation industry submitted comments. The majority of the comments

received, including those submitted by ARAC, indicated opposition to

the proposal. In light of this opposition, the FAA has decided to

withdraw the NPRM in its entirety for further internal study.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Leslie K. Vipond, Manager,

Airworthiness System and Air Agencies Branch, (AFS-350), Federal

Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC

20591; telephone (202) 267-3269; facsimile (202) 267-5115.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

In 1991, the FAA chartered the ARAC. At its first meeting on Air

Carrier General Aviation Maintenance Issues ARAC established the part

65 Working Group (working group) (56 FR 20492, May 3, 1991). The

working group was composed of representatives from several aviation

associations, including the European Association of Aerospace

Manufacturers, the Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA), the

Aerospace Industries Association, the Air Freight Association, the Air

Line Pilots Association (ALPA), the Air Transport Association (ATA),

the Aircraft Electronics Association, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots

Association (AOPA), the Airline Dispatchers Federation, the Allied

Pilots Association, the American Helicopter Society, the Aviation

Consumer Action Project, the Aviation Insurance Association, the

Aviation Technician Education Council (ATEC), the Equipment Leasing

Association of America, the Experimental Aircraft Association, Flight

Dispatchers, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, the

Helicopter Association International (HAI), the Independent Pilots

Association, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace

Workers (IAM), the Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA), the Light Aircraft

Manufacturers Association, the National Air Carrier Association, the

National Air Transportation Association (NATA), the National Business

Aircraft Association (NBAA), the Parachute Industry Association, the

Professional Aviation Maintenance Association (PAMA), the Regional

Airline Association (RAA), the Small Aircraft Manufacturers

Association, the Teamsters Airline Division, Transport Canada, the

University Aviation Association, and the Used Aircraft Certification

Conformity Committee. The working group was chaired by NATA.

The ARAC tasked this working group to conduct a review of the

certification requirements for mechanics, mechanics holding inspection

authorizations, and repairmen. At that time, these requirements were in

part 65, subparts D and E. After the ARAC analysis of the working

group's extensive efforts, the ARAC submitted to the FAA its

recommendation in the form of a draft NPRM, which would establish part

66. Based on this draft NPRM, the FAA issued an NPRM (Notice No. 98-5)

proposing to revise the certification requirements for mechanics and

repairmen (63 FR 37172, July 9, 1998).

Reason for Withdrawal

As previously noted, the proposals in Notice No. 98-5 were based on

the work performed by the working group and the recommendation of ARAC.

Because the ARAC forwarded the document to the FAA, the FAA assumed,

for the most part, the ARAC and the aviation community generally would

support Notice No. 98-5. However, of the more than 1,500 commenters who

submitted comments on Notice No. 98-5, most opposed the NPRM, either in

part or in full. Commenters especially opposed the creation of the

Aviation Maintenance Technician and Aviation Maintenance Technician

(Transport) certificates. Several working group member associations,

including AOPA, ARSA, NATA, PAMA, and RAA, opposed the NPRM and some

asked the FAA to withdraw Notice No. 98-5.

Decision

Because of the overwhelming opposition to Notice No. 98-5, the FAA

has decided to withdraw Notice No. 98-5. The FAA will study the issue

internally, and, if the FAA decides to make any changes to the

regulations concerning the certification and training requirements for

mechanics and repairmen, the FAA may later issue an NPRM for public

comment.

Accordingly, Notice No. 98-5, published on July 9, 1998 (63 FR

37172), is hereby withdrawn.

Issued in Washington, DC, on July 28, 1999.

L. Nicholas Lacey,

Director, Flight Standards Service.

[FR Doc. 99-20023 Filed 8-4-99; 8:45 am]

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