99-20023. Revision of Certification Requirements: Mechanics and Repairmen

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 150 (Thursday, August 5, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 42810]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-20023]



[[Page 42809]]

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Part IV





Department of Transportation





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Federal Aviation Administration



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14 CFR Parts 65, 66, and 147



Revision of Certification Requirements: Mechanics and Repairmen; 
Proposed Rule

Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 150 / Thursday, August 5, 1999 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 42810]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Parts 65, 66, and 147

[Docket No. 27863; Notice No. 98-5]
RIN 2120-AF22


Revision of Certification Requirements: Mechanics and Repairmen

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); withdrawal.

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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 [phone]; facsimile [phone].

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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