AFS-16-6883-E

March 23, 2016

 Exemption No. 15620

 Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2016-2933

Mr. Ian Kirkpatrick

6411 Dutcher Rd.

Howell, MI 48843

Dear Mr. Kirkpatrick:

This letter is to inform you that we have granted your request for exemption. It transmits our 

decision, explains its basis, and gives you the conditions and limitations of the exemption, 

including the date it ends.

The Basis for Our Decision

By letter received September 30, 2015 you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration 

(FAA) for an exemption from § 65.71(a)(2) of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations 

(14 CFR). That exemption, if granted, would allow you to be eligible for a mechanic 

certificate and associated ratings although you are hearing impaired and unable to 

communicate through speech.

The FAA has determined that good cause exists for not publishing a summary of the petition 

in the Federal Register. The requested exemption would not set a precedent, and any delay in 

acting on this petition would be detrimental to you.

The FAA has issued grants of exemption in circumstances similar in all material respects to 

those presented in your petition. In Grant of Exemption No. 11198 (copy enclosed), the FAA 

found there are many aviation tasks that a person with hearing and speech impairments can 

perform without creating unsafe situations. The FAA determined that such disabilities may

not present a safety hazard and that it is in the public interest to train and employ people with 

disabilities in jobs that they are capable of performing.
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Having reviewed your reasons for requesting an exemption, I find that—

 they are similar in all material respects to relief previously requested in the enclosed Grant 

of Exemption No.11198;

 the reasons stated by the FAA for granting the enclosed Grant of Exemption No. 11198

also apply to the situation you present; and 

 for the reasons stated in Grant of Exemption No. 11198, a grant of exemption is in the 

public interest.

Our Decision

Under the authority contained in 49 U.S.C. §§ 106(f), 40113, and 44701, which the FAA 

Administrator has delegated to me, I hereby grant Mr. Ian Kirkpatrick an exemption from 

14 CFR § 65.71(a)(2) to the extent necessary to allow him to be eligible for a mechanic 

certificate and associated ratings although he is hearing impaired and unable to speak the 

English language, subject to the conditions and limitations described below.

Conditions and Limitations 

1. Mr. Kirkpatrick must meet all the other portions of 14 CFR § 65.71(a)(2) and show 

his ability to read, write, and understand the English language.

2. Mr. Kirkpatrick must comply with the provisions of 14 CFR § 65.79 by using an 

interpreter who will remain neutral in delivery of technical test content as 

delivered, interpreted, and as responded to by applicant.

3. There are some duties that a certificated aircraft and powerplant mechanic may 

perform that require a person to be able to speak and hear. A typical example of 

such a duty is the run-up and taxiing of an aircraft. An airframe and powerplant 

mechanic performing these duties should be able to speak and hear, therefore, Mr. 

Swank should not perform these tasks because of safety concerns.

4. The exemption letter must be attached to FAA Form 8610-2, Airman Certification 

and/or Rating Application.

5. The exemption number and expiration date must be recorded in the remarks 

section on FAA Form 8610-2. The FAA inspector or the Designated Mechanic 

Examiner reviewing Form 8610-2 must ensure this is completed prior to the 

issuance of a temporary certificate. 

6. The temporary certificate, FAA Form 8060-4, must contain the exemption number

in Block XII of the form as provided to AFS-760, Airman Certification Branch and 

any limitation in the grant letter to the FAA, Airman Certification Branch, Registry 

Building (AFS-760), 6425 South Denning Road, Oklahoma City, OK 73169.
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7. Mr. Kirkpatrick must provide a copy of the exemption, if requested, to the 

airman’s employer, a potential employer, and any FAA Safety Inspector in the 

performance of their duties.

8. Questions about Mr. Kirkpatrick’s knowledge, skill testing, or recording process 

for airman certification files should be directed to the Flight Standards Service 

Regulatory Support Division (AFS-640) in Oklahoma City, or the Flight Standards 

Service Aircraft Maintenance Division (AFS-350) in Washington, D.C.

This exemption terminates on March 31, 2018 unless sooner superseded or rescinded.

Sincerely,

/s/

John Barbagallo

Deputy Director, Flight Standards Service

Enclosures

Exemption No. 11198