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[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 191 (Friday, October 2, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 59674-59690]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-24841]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 147

[Docket No. FAA-2015-3901; Notice No. 15-10]
RIN 2120-AK48

Aviation Maintenance Technician Schools

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to amend the regulations governing the 
curriculum and operations of FAA-certificated Aviation Maintenance 
Technician Schools. These amendments would modernize and reorganize the 
required curriculum subjects in the appendices of the current 
regulations. They would also remove the course content items currently 
located in the appendices and require that they be placed in each 
school's operations specifications so they could more easily be amended 
when necessary. The amendments are needed because the existing 
curriculums are outdated, do not meet current industry needs, and can 
be changed only through notice and comment rulemaking. These amendments 
would ensure that aviation maintenance technician students receive up-
to-date foundational training to meet the demanding and consistently 
changing needs of the aviation industry.

DATES: Send comments on or before December 31, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by docket number FAA-2015-3901 
using any of the following methods:
     Federal Rulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Send comments to Docket Operations, M-30; U.S. 
Department of Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Room 
W12-140, West Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590-0001.

[[Page 59675]]

     Hand Delivery or Courier: Take comments to Docket 
Operations in Room W12-140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
     Fax: Fax comments to Docket Operations at 202-493-2251.
    Privacy: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments 
from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts 
these comments, without edit, including any personal information the 
commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system 
of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at 
www.dot.gov/privacy.
    Docket: Background documents or comments received may be read at 
http://www.regulations.gov at any time. Follow the online instructions 
for accessing the docket or go to the Docket Operations in Room W12-140 
of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For technical questions concerning 
this action, contact Robert W. Warren, Aircraft Maintenance Division, 
Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., 
Washington DC 20591; telephone (202) 267-1711; email 
Robert.W.Warren@faa.gov. For legal questions concerning this action, 
contact Edmund Averman, Office of the Chief Counsel (AGC-210), Federal 
Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 
20591; telephone (202) 267-3147; email Ed.Averman@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Authority for This Rulemaking

    The FAA's authority to issue rules on aviation safety is found in 
Title 49 of the United States Code. Subtitle I, Section 106 describes 
the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation 
Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the agency's authority.
    This rulemaking is promulgated under the authority described in 
Title 49, Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart I, Chapter 401, Section 40113 
(prescribing general authority of the Administrator of the FAA, with 
respect to aviation safety duties and powers, to prescribe 
regulations); and Subpart III, Chapter 447, Sections 44701 (general 
authority of the Administrator to prescribe regulations and minimum 
standards in the interest of safety for inspecting, servicing, and 
overhauling aircraft, engines, propellers, and appliances, including 
for other practices, methods, and procedures necessary for safety in 
air commerce); 44702 (authority of the Administrator to issue air 
agency certificates); 44707 (authority of the Administrator to examine 
and rate air agencies, including civilian schools giving instruction in 
repairing, altering, and maintaining aircraft, aircraft engines, 
propellers, and appliances, on the adequacy of instruction, the 
suitability and airworthiness of equipment, and the competency of 
instructors); and 44709 (authority of the Administrator to amend, 
modify, suspend, and revoke air agency and other FAA-issued 
certificates). This proposed regulation is within the scope of that 
authority.

I. Executive Summary

a. Summary of the Proposed Rule

    This proposed rule would amend the regulations governing Aviation 
Maintenance Technician Schools (14 CFR part 147) to both update the 
existing curriculums and provide an efficient means of changing 
specific course items under each main subject heading, when needed, by 
including them in each school's operations specifications. The proposal 
sets forth both a description of operations specifications and a 
process for amending, suspending, or terminating them. In addition, the 
proposed amendments would clarify existing requirements, remove gender-
specific references, and eliminate duplication found in some sections 
of the current rules.
    The FAA has updated its regulations governing aviation maintenance 
technician schools only infrequently since 1962, when they were re-
codified from the former Civil Air Regulations (CAR) part 53 into 
current Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 147. 
(27 FR 6669, Jul. 19, 1962). The agency last amended part 147 in 2011 
to add a new Sec.  147.8 that placed restrictions on the employment of 
former FAA employees, however the agency has made no curriculum changes 
since 1992. Based on recent studies and reports (which are discussed 
below in more detail), the FAA has determined that the current school 
curriculums are dated and do not provide students with the skills 
necessary for maintaining modern aircraft.
    When the FAA first shaped the basic training curriculum during the 
1962 recodification, the use of advanced materials, advanced electronic 
operating systems, computers, high bypass propulsion systems, and smart 
aircraft did not exist in civilian aviation. Since the 1992 rule 
changes, the industry has produced larger, state of the art transport 
aircraft (such as the Boeing 787 and Airbus A380) that incorporate very 
advanced technologies and complex systems. Similar advancements in 
technology have also evolved in all other levels of aircraft such as 
general aviation aircraft and business aircraft. The FAA has also not 
updated part 147 to account for recent advances in rotorcraft 
technology, composites, unmanned aerial vehicles, glass panels, light 
sport aircraft (LSA), and the spread of electronics into every other 
aspect of aircraft.
    In view of the expected continued rapid pace of technological 
change in the aviation industry, part 147 curriculums will need to be 
updated frequently and quickly. However, because these curriculums are 
currently specified in the part 147 appendices, the FAA can change them 
only through notice and comment rulemaking, which is a time-consuming 
and inefficient means of modernizing the curriculum. As a consequence, 
without the proposed changes, the school curriculums will always be 
several years behind what is needed to effectively train aviation 
maintenance technician students. By including the curriculums in each 
school's operations specifications, they may be updated expeditiously 
to keep pace with emerging technologies.

b. Summary of Costs and Benefits

    The FAA finds the proposed rule's benefits would accrue from 
changing curriculum hours, which would lower the more costly 
laboratory/workshop time (while offset by increasing classroom time) 
and also from eliminating the exemptions currently issued for aviation 
mechanic testing requirements. The estimated total benefits of this 
rule are about $10 million ($7 million, present value at 7%).
    The two major compliance costs of the rule are initial curriculum 
revisions and subsequent curriculum revisions. The latter may be 
divided into FAA-proposed recommendations for amendments to the 
technician school curriculum, and technician school submissions to 
request amendments to their curriculum. The estimated total costs are 
about $4 million ($3 million, present value at 7%). Net benefits equal 
approximately $7 million ($3 million, present value at 7%).

II. Background

a. History of Part 147

    Part 147 specifies the requirements for the certification and 
operations of FAA-

[[Page 59676]]

certificated aviation maintenance technician schools, including the 
course curriculums they must provide. Part 147 originated as Civil Air 
Regulations (CAR) part 53. As a result of the recodification of the 
CARs in 1962, CAR part 53 became 14 CFR part 147. In 1970, the FAA 
revised part 147 to increase the required core curriculum hours from 
1,500 to 1,900 and to further define the subject content and teaching 
guidelines. A minor revision to the curriculum requirements adopted in 
1992 included the use of computers in the training environment, 
composite materials, an introduction to unducted fans, and auxiliary 
power units. There have been no further revisions.

b. General Accounting Office Report and Part 147 Working Group

    While not the only studies/reports that addressed the issues 
supporting this proposed rulemaking, two were instrumental to its 
development. First, in March 2003, the General Accounting Office (GAO) 
\1\ issued a report titled Aviation Safety-FAA Needs To Update the 
Curriculum and Certification Requirements for Aviation Mechanics (GAO 
03-317, March 2003) (GAO Report). The report detailed the following:
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    \1\ In 2004, the GAO Human Capital Reform Act of 2004, Public 
Law 108-271, 118 Stat. 811 (2004), changed GAO's legal name from the 
General Accounting Office to the Government Accountability Office.
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    1. Serious and growing gaps between the minimum training curriculum 
required by part 147 and the current and forecast levels of aircraft 
technology.
    2. Concerns that the required curriculums at FAA-approved aviation 
maintenance technician schools are outdated and are primarily geared to 
smaller, less complex aircraft that do not transport a significant 
number of passengers, and may not be relevant to most of the aircraft 
flown today.
    3. Limitations of basic courses that should prepare students to 
maintain and repair the body and engines of modern commercial aircraft.
    The GAO recommended the FAA review the minimum Airframe and 
Powerplant (A&P) curriculums required for certificated schools to 
identify courses that do not reflect widely used aircraft technology 
and materials on commonly flown commercial aircraft. The GAO also 
recommended that changes to the curriculums be reflected on the 
mechanic's certification examination. This would ensure the same 
standards applied to all candidates for the A&P certificate.
    Growing recognition of these issues prompted the second study and 
report instrumental to this rulemaking. In 2007, the FAA tasked the 
Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC) to form the Part 147 
Aviation Maintenance Technician Schools Curriculum and Operating 
Requirements Working Group (the Part 147 Working Group). The ARAC 
subsequently tasked the Part 147 Working Group to study some of the 
issues raised in the GAO report and to make recommendations to address 
them. In December 2008, the Part 147 Working Group issued its Final 
Report (the ARAC Report).
    The ARAC Report suggested a solution that could help expedite 
keeping course content current. The report referenced the process used 
by training centers certificated by the FAA under 14 CFR part 142 to 
control course content and other matters related to the centers' 
providing flight-related training to airmen. Section 142.3 provides for 
and defines ``training specifications'' as a document issued by the FAA 
to a training center that ``prescribes that center's training, 
checking, and testing authorizations and limitations, and specifies 
training program requirements.'' Training specifications are similar to 
``operations specifications'' issued by the FAA to certificate holders 
in other venues (e.g., air carriers) that document basic information 
and limitations that govern the allowable operations of the certificate 
holder. Operations specifications are mutually agreed upon between the 
FAA and the specific certificate holder, and may be amended by 
procedures specified in the regulations.
    Amending training or operations specifications is a more efficient 
and expeditious means of making changes to a certificate holder's 
operations than is the process of notice and comment rulemaking for 
rules of general applicability. The ARAC Report recommended that 
aviation maintenance technician schools' curriculum procedures 
documents be placed in what would be new training specifications. These 
would function similar to operations specifications, thereby 
facilitating their updating by means of the amendment process. The FAA 
is proposing that each certificated aviation maintenance technician 
school would use operations specifications (in lieu of the suggested 
training specifications) to manage its operations, including its 
training curriculum.
    This proposal addresses several of the recommendations in the ARAC 
Report,\2\ including:
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    \2\ A copy of the ARAC Report has been placed in the docket.
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     Placing the subject course items in operations 
specifications while keeping the required subject area headings in the 
appendices;
     Updating some of the subject areas and the items under the 
subject course headings;
     Revising the distribution of curriculum hours among the 
General, the Airframe, and the Powerplant curriculums;
     Incorporating a distance learning option; and
     Creating a new provision to allow students to take the 
General written test after completing that curriculum but before 
meeting the experience requirements of Sec.  65.77.

III. Discussion of the Proposal

    Consistent with the recommendations in both the GAO Report and the 
ARAC Report, and with the FAA's own awareness that the current course 
curriculums set forth in the part 147 appendices are long overdue to be 
updated, the FAA proposes to amend some of the subject headings in part 
147 appendices B-D to better reflect their appropriate course content. 
The agency also proposes to remove the course content items currently 
found under each subject heading in the appendices and include them in 
each school's operations specifications under the identical subject 
headings that would remain in the appendices. We also propose to amend 
some of these course content items to update them and to better reflect 
the areas to be taught within each subject area. As discussed above, if 
the course content items are contained in the schools' operations 
specifications, they can, when necessary, be more easily amended 
through the process provided by this proposal for amending operations 
specifications.

a. Curriculum Hours (Sec.  147.21)

    Section 147.21(b) contains the total minimum number of curriculum 
hours of instruction (1,900 hours) for the combined Airframe and 
Powerplant ratings. The ARAC Report recommended retaining this 1,900 
hour minimum. The FAA agrees with that recommendation, and also with 
the report's recommendation that the number of instruction hours for 
the Airframe and Powerplant ratings should be redistributed as follows:

[[Page 59677]]

     General--from 400 hours to 450 hours.
     Airframe--from 750 hours to 800 hours.
     Powerplant--from 750 hours to 650 hours.
    With changes in aircraft technologies increasingly emphasizing 
electricity, electronics, and advanced materials, the FAA concurs with 
the ARAC Report that adding hours to the General and Airframe 
curriculum is appropriate. The FAA also agrees that revising the list 
of required subjects and updating the course content items within the 
major subject headings would be an important step in meeting industry 
needs for aviation maintenance technicians who have been trained in up-
to-date aircraft materials and systems.
    The FAA also proposes to include an option for competency-based 
training utilizing minimum credit hours based on typical higher 
education accreditation criteria. The minimum number of credit hours 
(equivalent to 1,900 training hours) would total 43 credit hours. This 
would be the combined credit hours for Airframe and Powerplant 
requirements, which include a minimum of 10 credit hours for the 
General curriculum, 18 credit hours for the Airframe curriculum, and 15 
credit hours for the Powerplant curriculum. Each school would have the 
option to be approved for either an instructional hours curriculum or a 
credit hours curriculum, but not both.
    A credit hour is a unit of measure that gives value to the level of 
instruction, academic rigor, and time requirements for a course taken 
at an educational institution. At its most basic, a credit hour is a 
proxy measure of a quantity of student learning. The higher education 
community has long used the credit hour, as defined by the ``Carnegie 
unit,'' as part of a process to establish a standard measure of faculty 
workloads, costs of instruction, and rates of educational efficiencies, 
as well as a measure of student work for transfer students. A credit 
hour for purposes of part 147 is an institutionally established 
equivalency that reasonably approximates some minimum amount of student 
work reflective of the amount of work expected in a Carnegie unit. A 
school that chooses to use a credit hour curriculum would be required 
to determine the clock-to-credit-hour conversion requirements and 
credit hours to be awarded for coursework under that option.
    No matter which of the two options a school would select, it would 
have to ensure equivalent comprehensive coverage of the General, 
Airframe, and Powerplant curriculum subjects areas, including the 
course content items under them.

b. General Curriculum Subjects Headings (Appendix B)

    As proposed, the ``General Curriculum Subjects'' headings, 
including proposed new and revised subject headings, would remain in 
Appendix B of part 147. In addition, those same subject headings would 
be included in each school's Operations Specification B002, captioned 
``General Curriculum Subjects.'' The FAA proposes to delete the course 
content items currently included under each curriculum subject heading 
in the appendix. These course content items, as well as new course 
content items for the new and revised subject headings, would be 
included in each school's operations specifications, as recommended by 
the ARAC Report. These items would be listed in each school's 
Operations Specification B002 under the corresponding subject heading. 
Once the course content items were included in a school's Operations 
Specifications, the FAA and the school could amend them as needed to 
keep pace with ongoing changes in technology. The proposed ``General 
Curriculum Subjects'' headings are as follows:

A. Fundamental Electricity and Electronics
B. Aircraft Drawings
C. Weight and Balance
D. Fluid Lines and Fittings
E. Aircraft Materials, Hardware, and Processes
F. Ground Operations and Servicing
G. Cleaning and Corrosion Control
H. Mathematics
I. Maintenance Forms, Records, and Publications
J. Physics for Aviation
K. Inspection Concepts and Techniques
L. Mechanic Privileges and Limitations
M. Human Factors
N. Foreign Object Elimination (FOE)
O. Alerts, Cautions, and Warning Indications

    The above proposed ``General Curriculum Subjects'' headings differ 
from the existing subject headings as follows:
     Proposed subject heading ``A'' (``Fundamental Electricity 
and Electronics'') would be a change from the existing subject heading 
``A'' (``Basic Electricity''). This revision is needed to better 
reflect evolving technological changes, with emphasis on electronics 
required for maintaining current and newer aircraft types.
     Proposed subject heading ``E'' (``Aircraft Materials, 
Hardware, and Processes'') would be a change from the existing subject 
heading ``E'' (``Materials and Processes''). This revision is needed to 
highlight the differences between aircraft materials, hardware, and 
specific processes, such as new nondestructive testing methods and 
techniques.
     Proposed subject heading ``I'' (``Maintenance Forms, 
Records, and Publications'') would be a change from the existing 
subject heading ``I'' (``Maintenance Forms and Records''). Items to be 
covered would include completing miscellaneous forms, using appropriate 
terminologies, and familiarization with pertinent records and 
publications. This would also help ensure that students have the 
ability to read and understand publications and FAA regulations. This 
heading would also encompass what is in the current subject heading 
``K'' (``Maintenance Publications).'' Accordingly, ``Maintenance 
Publications'' would be deleted as a separate subject heading.
     Proposed subject heading ``J'' (``Physics for Aviation'') 
would be a change from the existing subject heading ``J'' (``Basic 
Physics''). This change would better reflect the specifics of aviation 
physics that should be taught.
     A new subject heading ``K'' is proposed entitled 
``Inspection Concepts and Techniques.'' This would replace the current 
subject heading ``K'' (``Maintenance Publications''), which is now part 
of proposed subject heading ``I.'' Inspections are a key element in any 
good maintenance practice and require a high degree of knowledge and 
practical application. Inspections vary from nondestructive testing to 
general visual and detailed visual inspections--all of which must be 
performed in accordance with approved or acceptable data.
     A new subject heading ``M'' is proposed entitled ``Human 
Factors.'' Aviation maintenance is always in a state of flux. Evolving 
aircraft design and manufacturing contain materials, powerplants, and 
electronic subsystems that did not exist in earlier models. This 
situation is compounded by the growing number of aging aircraft. 
Technicians are working longer hours and different shifts. Maintenance 
technicians are increasingly using sophisticated equipment and 
procedures to maintain modern aircraft. Human error is the primary, or 
a contributing factor, in 80% (or more) of aviation incidents/
accidents. Workers routinely commit errors that result in injuries, 
damage to equipment, regulatory non-compliance, breaches of flight 
safety, and more. The goal of introducing human factors training into 
the schools' General curriculum is to help aviation technicians 
recognize the situations that can lead to error. This training would

[[Page 59678]]

help identify and address the human factors hazards that jeopardize 
workers and the safety of flight. The requirement would also help 
harmonize FAA rules with those of other international authorities.
     A new subject heading ``N'' is proposed entitled ``Foreign 
Object Elimination (FOE).'' Foreign objects have been a major cause of 
aircraft damage and ad hoc maintenance. This damage has led to 
disastrous aviation accidents. Raising the awareness of foreign object 
elimination principals and techniques in a school's curriculum is a 
positive first step in foreign object damage elimination.
     A new subject heading ``O'' is proposed entitled ``Alerts, 
Cautions, and Warning Indications.'' Current and future flight deck 
designs incorporate sophisticated flight crew alerting systems. The 
existing curriculums do not take into consideration this state of the 
art technology, or associated safety and implementation issues 
associated with maintaining these alerting systems.

c. Airframe Curriculum Subjects Headings (Appendix C)

    Similar to the General Curriculum Subjects headings amendments 
proposed above, the Airframe Curriculum Subject headings, including 
proposed new and revised subject headings, would remain in part 147, in 
this case, in Appendix C. In addition, those same subject headings 
would be included in each school's Operations Specification B003, 
captioned ``Airframe Curriculum Subjects.'' The FAA proposes to delete 
the course content items currently included under each curriculum 
subject heading in the appendix. These course content items, as well as 
new course content items for the new and revised subject headings, 
would be included in each school's operations specifications, as 
recommended by the ARAC Report. These items would be listed in each 
school's Operations Specification B003 under the corresponding subject 
heading. Once the course content items were included in a school's 
operations specifications, the FAA and the school could amend them as 
needed to keep pace with ongoing changes in technology.
    The FAA proposes to eliminate the two Appendix C sub-headings: ``I. 
Airframe Structures'' and ``II. Airframe Systems and Components.'' 
Instead, all subject headings would be included under the main Appendix 
C heading ``Airframe Curriculum Subjects.'' The proposed ``Airframe 
Curriculum Subjects'' headings are as follows:

A. Metallic Structures
B. Non-Metallic Structures
C. Flight Controls
D. Airframe Inspection
E. Landing Gear Systems
F. Hydraulic and Pneumatic Systems
G. Environmental Systems
H. Aircraft Instrument Systems
I. Communication and Navigation Systems
J. Aircraft Fuel Systems
K. Aircraft Electrical Systems
L. Ice and Rain Control Systems
M. Airframe Fire Protection Systems
N. Rotorcraft Fundamentals
O. Water and Waste Systems

    The above proposed ``Airframe Curriculum Subjects'' headings differ 
from the existing subject headings as follows:
     The proposed new subject heading ``Metallic Structures'' 
(proposed subject ``A'') would be a change from the existing subject 
heading (``Wood Structures''--current subject ``I.A''). This revision, 
along with the proposed revision to subject I.B (proposed ``Non-
Metallic Structures''--proposed subject ``B''), is necessary to reflect 
a more useful division between metallic structures and non-metallic 
(including wood) structures. Metallic structures would cover aviation-
related sheet metals, rivets, hardware, special fasteners, heat 
treatments, welding, forming, and the importance of using the 
Structural Repair Manual.
     The proposed new subject heading ``Non-Metallic 
Structures'' (proposed subject ``B'') would be a change from the 
existing subject heading (``Aircraft Covering''--current subject 
``I.B''). This section would incorporate wood structures, aircraft 
coverings, composites, plastics, and glass. The subject matters 
currently included in the existing subject heading ``Aircraft 
Finishes'' (current subject ``I.C'') would be covered in the proposed 
subject heading ``G'' titled ``Cleaning and Corrosion Control'' in the 
General Curriculum Subjects in Appendix B. The FAA proposes a new 
subject heading to read ``Flight Controls'' (proposed subject ``C''). 
This subject heading would cover topics such as primary and secondary 
flight controls, structure alignment, and control surface indicators. 
It would also include the assembly and rigging subject matter that is 
currently listed as subject ``I.F'' (``Assembly and Rigging'') in 
Appendix C. Accordingly, ``Assembly and Rigging'' would be deleted as a 
separate subject heading.
     The subject matters included in the current subject 
heading ``Sheet Metal and Non-Metallic Structures'' (current subject 
``I.D'') would be covered in the proposed new subject headings 
``Metallic Structures'' and ``Non-Metallic Structures'' (discussed 
above). Therefore, the agency proposes to remove that subject heading.
     The subject matters included in the current subject 
heading ``Welding'' (current subject ``I.E'') would be covered in the 
proposed subject heading ``Metallic Structures'' (discussed above). 
Therefore, the agency proposes to remove that subject heading.
     While the subject matters included in the current heading 
``Airframe Inspection'' would remain in Appendix C, they would no 
longer be in subject heading ``I.G.'' Under this proposal, they would 
be moved to subject heading ``D.''
     While the subject matters included in the current heading 
``Aircraft Landing Gear Systems'' would remain in Appendix C, they 
would no longer be in subject heading ``II.A.'' Under this proposal, 
they would move to subject heading ``E,'' which would be captioned 
``Landing Gear Systems.''
     While the subject matters included in the current heading 
``Hydraulic and Pneumatic Power Systems'' would remain in Appendix C, 
they would no longer be in subject heading ``II.B.'' Under this 
proposal, they would move to subject heading ``F,'' which would be 
captioned ``Hydraulic and Pneumatic Systems.''
     While the subject matters included in the current heading 
``Cabin Atmosphere Control Systems'' would remain in Appendix C, they 
would no longer be in subject heading ``II.C.'' Under this proposal, 
they would move to subject heading ``G,'' which would be captioned 
``Environmental Systems.'' This title better describes the course 
content, which covers cabin environmental systems, including the 
inspection, servicing, and troubleshooting of oxygen systems and 
instrument cooling systems.
     While the subject matters included in the current heading 
``Aircraft Instrument Systems'' would remain in Appendix C, they would 
no longer be in subject heading ``II.D.'' Under this proposal, they 
would move to subject heading ``H.''
     While the subject matters included in the current heading 
``Communication and Navigation Systems'' would remain in Appendix C, 
they would no longer be in subject heading ``II.E.'' Under this 
proposal, they would move to subject heading ``L.''
     While the subject matters included in the current heading 
``Aircraft Fuel Systems'' would remain in Appendix C, they would no 
longer be in subject heading ``II.F.'' Under this proposal, they would 
move to subject heading ``J.''
     While the subject matters included in the current heading 
``Aircraft

[[Page 59679]]

Electrical Systems'' would remain in Appendix C, they would no longer 
be in subject heading ``II.G.'' Under this proposal, they would move to 
subject heading ``K.''
     While the subject matters included in the current heading 
``Position and Warning Systems'' would remain in Appendix C, they would 
no longer be in subject heading ``II.H.'' Under this proposal, they 
would be included in proposed subject heading ``E'' (``Landing Gear 
Systems'') because its course content items are appropriate to be 
covered in that subject. Accordingly, ``Position and Warning Systems'' 
would be deleted as a separate subject heading.
     While the subject matters included in the current heading 
``Ice and Rain Control Systems'' would remain in Appendix C, they would 
no longer be in subject heading ``II.I.'' Under this proposal, they 
would move to subject heading ``L.''
     While the subject matters included in the current heading 
``Fire Protection Systems'' would remain in Appendix C, they would no 
longer be in subject heading ``II.J.'' Under this proposal, they would 
move to subject heading ``M'' and be retitled ``Airframe Fire 
Protection Systems.''
     The FAA proposes to add a new subject heading entitled 
``Rotorcraft Fundamentals'' (new subject heading ``N'') to address 
maintenance items such as rotorcraft fundamentals, transmissions, and 
operation of rotor systems.
     The FAA proposes to add a new subject heading entitled 
``Water and Waste Systems'' (new subject heading ``O'') to address the 
advances in potable water and lavatory waste systems. Additionally, 
there is the potential for the accumulation of ice if the systems are 
not operated, maintained, or serviced properly. This ice could detach 
from the aircraft causing damage to the aircraft and raising safety 
issues on the ground.

d. Powerplant Curriculum Subjects Headings (Appendix D)

    Similar to the General and the Airframe curriculum subjects 
headings amendments proposed above, the ``Powerplant Curriculum 
Subjects'' headings, including proposed new and revised subject 
headings, would remain in part 147, in this case, in Appendix D. In 
addition, those same subject headings would be included in each 
school's Operations Specification B004, captioned ``Powerplant 
Curriculum Subjects.'' The FAA proposes to delete the course content 
items currently included under each curriculum subject heading in the 
appendix. These course content items, as well as new course content 
items for the new and revised subject headings, would be included in 
each school's operations specifications, as recommended by the ARAC 
Report. These items would be listed in each school's Operations 
Specification B004 under the corresponding subject heading. Once the 
course content items were included in a school's operations 
specifications, the FAA and the school could amend them as needed to 
keep pace with ongoing changes in technology.
    The FAA proposes to eliminate the two Appendix D sub-headings: ``I. 
Powerplant Theory and Maintenance'' and ``II. Powerplant Systems and 
Components.'' Instead, all subject headings would be included under the 
main Appendix D heading ``Powerplant Curriculum Subjects.'' The 
proposed ``Powerplant Curriculum Subjects'' headings are as follows:

A. Reciprocating Engines
B. Turbine engines
C. Engine Inspection
D. Engine Instrument Systems
E. Engine Fire Protection Systems
F. Engine Electrical Systems
G. Lubrication Systems
H. Ignition and Starting Systems
I. Fuel Metering Systems
J. Reciprocating Engine Induction and Cooling Systems
K. Turbine Engine Air Systems
L. Engine Exhaust and Reverser Systems
M. Propellers

    The above proposed ``Powerplant Curriculum Subjects'' headings 
differ from the existing subject headings as follows:
     The FAA is proposing to combine the existing subject 
headings ``Fuel Metering Systems'' (current subject ``II.F'') and 
``Engine Fuel Systems'' (current subject ``II.G'') under a new subject 
heading: ``Fuel Metering Systems'' (proposed subject ``I'').
     The FAA is proposing to combine the existing subject 
headings of ``Induction and Engine Airflow Systems'' (current subject 
``II.H'') and ``Engine Cooling Systems'' (current subject ``II.I'') 
under a new subject heading: ``Reciprocating Engine Induction and 
Cooling Systems'' (proposed subject ``J''). This revised subject would 
incorporate induction and cooling systems designs, components, and 
inspection practices.
     The FAA proposes to add a new subject heading: ``Turbine 
Engine Air Systems'' (proposed subject ``K''). This section would 
address engine anti ice systems, compressor bleed systems, and turbine 
case cooling.
     The FAA proposes to remove the subject ``Unducted Fans'' 
(current subject ``II.L'') from the Powerplant Curriculum Subjects of 
Appendix D. In the late 1970's, the unducted fan engine (a type of 
aircraft engine related in concept to both the turboprop and turbofan, 
but different from both) was under consideration for use on commercial 
airliners because of its fuel economy benefits. Since fuel costs became 
an increasingly significant aspect for commercial aviation, engine 
designers felt the unducted fan would become a viable solution. For 
that reason, the FAA added unducted fans to the aviation maintenance 
technician school powerplant curriculum in 1992. Because unducted fan 
technology never became popular, the FAA is proposing to remove this 
subject from the powerplant curriculum.

e. Curriculum Course Content

    One of the primary objectives of this proposed rulemaking is to 
establish a regulatory basis for the FAA to issue operations 
specifications to aviation maintenance technician schools as a tool for 
their management and oversight. As discussed above, in order to 
facilitate keeping the schools' curriculums up-to-date, the FAA 
proposes to remove the course content items listed under each subject 
heading in Appendices B-D and place them in each school's operations 
specifications. Current Sec.  147.5 provides for the FAA to issue 
operations specifications to certificate holders who meet the 
requirements of part 147, and we are not proposing to change that. We 
are, however, proposing to amend Sec.  147.3 to provide that no person 
may operate as an aviation maintenance technician school without or in 
violation of a certificate, rating, or operations specifications. And, 
the FAA is proposing a new Sec.  147.9 that would provide, among other 
things, that each school's operations specifications contain its 
complete curriculum and the descriptions required under each of the 
subjects specified in the part 147 appendices. In addition, in order to 
facilitate keeping course content and other items included in the 
schools' operations specifications up to date, we are proposing a new 
Sec.  147.10 that would provide processes for amending, suspending, or 
terminating operations specifications, including processes for 
petitioning for reconsideration of a decision adverse to the 
certificate holder. Whenever a proposed process states the submission 
must be written or in writing, the FAA contemplates that the submission 
could be a paper submission, one filed electronically, or both.
    In a case where the certificate-holding district office found, 
under proposed

[[Page 59680]]

Sec.  147.10(f), that an emergency existed that required immediate 
action with respect to safety in air transportation or air commerce, 
the above-referenced administrative processes would not apply. The 
affected certificate holder could appeal the action that amended, 
suspended, or terminated the operation specification to the appropriate 
United States Court of Appeals as a final order of the Administrator 
under 49 U.S.C. 46110(a).
    Because the FAA is proposing to remove the course curriculum items 
from the appendices of part 147 and require that all course curriculum 
items be placed in each school's operations specifications, all 
certificated aviation maintenance technician schools would be required 
to submit new curriculums to the FAA for approval. Current FAA Advisory 
Circular AC 147-3A (Certification and Operation of Aviation Maintenance 
Technician Schools) lists the course curriculum items from the 
appendices, and suggests acceptable options to the curriculums. This 
Advisory Circular is currently undergoing revision by the FAA. If this 
proposed rule becomes final, the FAA will further revise this Advisory 
Circular to provide guidance on how the schools can develop the 
required curriculums based on the existing course content items in the 
current appendices, and also on developing new course content items for 
the proposed new and revised subject headings. We are also proposing in 
Sec.  147.21(a) to permit, with FAA approval, a school to teach 
approved curriculum subjects at levels exceeding those specified in the 
school's operations specifications. This change reflects that the FAA's 
rules are considered minimum standards that certificate holders may 
exceed. It also is consistent with the provision in current Sec.  
147.21(c) that the course content items must be taught to at least the 
indicated level of proficiency defined in appendix A. In order to 
facilitate future curriculum updates, the FAA is considering the 
creation of a Maintenance Training Review Board (MTRB) that would 
assess evolving industry needs on a recurring basis. The MTRB would 
review and recommend subsequent amendments to the curriculums. Under 
the procedures in proposed Sec.  145.10, certificate holders and the 
FAA could agree upon appropriate curriculum changes when needed, and 
the operations specifications could be amended accordingly.

f. Distance Learning (Sec.  147.31(g))

    A form of information sharing for educational purposes using 
computer systems away from the traditional classroom setting has become 
known as ``distance learning.'' Distance learning (also known by other 
terms such as E-learning, home study, self-guided training, virtual 
classroom, distributed training, computer-based training (CBT) and Web-
based training (WBT)) can be an effective means of teaching that 
affords a low cost alternative to classroom training when applied to a 
select group of curriculum subject areas. It is also an alternative 
that is timely and appropriate in today's challenging economic 
environment. Therefore, the FAA is proposing a new paragraph (g) to 
Sec.  147.31 to provide the option for distance learning instruction 
under certain circumstances approved by the FAA.

g. Change Instructor Requirements (Sec.  147.23)

    The FAA proposes to revise the instructor requirements for 
certificated aviation maintenance technician schools to allow specially 
qualified instructors, who may not be FAA-certificated technicians, to 
teach certain courses when approved by the FAA. This proposed amendment 
would alleviate the limitation for non-FAA-certificated instructors to 
teach only in the General curriculum. This proposal would allow 
qualified non-FAA-certificated instructors to teach not only in the 
General curriculum, but also the Airframe, and/or Powerplant 
curriculums if deemed qualified and subsequently approved by the FAA. 
Each school would be required to maintain and keep in its operations 
specifications an up-to-date list of the names and qualifications of 
all its instructors.

h. Written Knowledge Test (Sec.  147.31)

    The FAA proposes to add a new paragraph (f) to Sec.  147.31 that 
would permit a student who had successfully completed the General 
curriculum to take the general written knowledge test even if the 
student had not met the experience requirements of 14 CFR 65.77. 
Section 65.75(a) provides that applicants for a mechanic certificate or 
rating must, after meeting the applicable experience requirements of 
Sec.  65.77, pass a written test. Under this proposal, whenever a 
certificated aviation maintenance technician school demonstrates to an 
FAA Aviation Safety Inspector (ASI) with oversight responsibility for 
the school that a student has made satisfactory progress at the school, 
the student could take the aviation mechanic written general knowledge 
test.

i. Change of Location Requirements (Sec.  147.41)

    The FAA proposes to amend Sec.  147.41 to retain the requirement 
that an aviation maintenance technician school certificate holder may 
not change the school's physical location unless the change is approved 
in advance by the FAA, and that an application for the change must be 
made 30 days in advance of the contemplated move. However, the agency 
proposes to remove the current text that states if a school changes its 
location without FAA approval, ``the certificate is revoked.'' All 
certificate holders are entitled to due process before a certificate 
action could be final. Accordingly, we propose to remove existing text 
that states: ``If he [the certificate holder] changes its location 
without approval, the certificate is revoked.'' Because each 
certificate holder's operations specifications would include the 
physical address of the primary location of the school, we are 
proposing that new Sec.  147.41 contain the requirement that the new 
location be listed in the school's operations specifications. Also, and 
as discussed below, we propose to remove gender-specific language from 
this section (e.g., ``he'') and from other sections of part 147.

j. Inspection Requirements (Sec.  147.43)

    The FAA proposes to amend Sec.  147.43 for clarity and to remove 
inappropriate text related to FAA inspection policies (e.g., on 
expected frequency of and procedures related to inspections of aviation 
maintenance technician schools). The section, as proposed, would 
require only that a school allow the FAA to inspect it at any time to 
determine compliance with the applicable regulations.

k. Advertising (Sec.  147.45)

    The FAA proposes to remove this section in its entirety. The FAA 
believes that Federal and State laws adequately protect the public from 
false and misleading advertising. Moreover, the FAA's mandate is to 
regulate aviation safety, not the advertising of the entities it 
regulates.

l. Duration of Certificate (Sec.  147.7)

    The FAA proposes to revise Sec.  147.7 to add a requirement that an 
aviation maintenance technician school certificate surrender is not 
complete until the FAA accepts it for cancellation. This new surrender 
requirement would codify existing FAA policy, and would prevent a 
school under investigation from attempting to circumvent a possible 
enforcement action that could result in a revocation

[[Page 59681]]

of the school's certificate by surrendering the certificate to stop the 
investigation before it could be completed.

m. Gender References

    The FAA proposes to amend several sections of part 147 
(specifically, Sec. Sec.  147.13, 147.15, 147.17, 147.31(c), and 
147.41) to remove gender-specific language (``he'') from the current 
text, and revise the text to use gender-neutral terms.

n. Miscellaneous

    The FAA proposes to remove current Sec. Sec.  147.36, 147.37, and 
147.38 because they are unnecessary in light of the corresponding 
initial certification requirements, which are continuing and ongoing. 
For example, current Sec. Sec.  147.13, 147.21, and 147.23 each require 
an ``applicant'' to have or provide certain things, whereas the 
sections that would be removed require the continuation the initial 
requirement.
    We also propose to revise Sec. Sec.  147.13, 147.21, 147.23, and 
others, where pertinent, to read: ``Each certificated aviation 
maintenance technician school must . . . .'' Those requirements then 
would apply to an applicant for a certificate and would continue to 
apply to the school while in operation.
    We are also proposing minor, non-substantive revisions throughout 
part 147 for clarity.

IV. Regulatory Notices and Analyses

A. Regulatory Evaluation

    Changes to Federal regulations must undergo several economic 
analyses. First, Executive Order 12866 and Executive Order 13563 direct 
that each Federal agency shall propose or adopt a regulation only upon 
a reasoned determination that the benefits of the intended regulation 
justify its costs. Second, the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (Pub. 
L. 96-354) requires agencies to analyze the economic impact of 
regulatory changes on small entities. Third, the Trade Agreements Act 
(Pub. L. 96-39) prohibits agencies from setting standards that create 
unnecessary obstacles to the foreign commerce of the United States. In 
developing U.S. standards, this Trade Act requires agencies to consider 
international standards and, where appropriate, that they be the basis 
of U.S. standards. Fourth, the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 
(Pub. L. 104-4) requires agencies to prepare a written assessment of 
the costs, benefits, and other effects of proposed or final rules that 
include a Federal mandate likely to result in the expenditure by State, 
local, or tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private 
sector, of $100 million or more annually (adjusted for inflation with 
base year of 1995). This portion of the preamble summarizes the FAA's 
analysis of the economic impacts of this proposed rule. We suggest 
readers seeking greater detail read the full regulatory evaluation, a 
copy of which we have placed in the docket for this rulemaking.
    In conducting these analyses, the FAA has determined that this 
proposed rule: (1) Has benefits that justify its costs, (2) is not an 
economically ``significant regulatory action'' as defined in section 
3(f) of Executive Order 12866, (3) is ``significant'' as defined in 
DOT's Regulatory Policies and Procedures; (4) would not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities; 
(5) would not create unnecessary obstacles to the foreign commerce of 
the United States; and (6) would not impose an unfunded mandate on 
state, local, or tribal governments, or on the private sector by 
exceeding the threshold identified above. These analyses are summarized 
below.
1. Total Benefits and Costs of This Rule
    Benefits would accrue from changing curriculum hours, which would 
lower the more costly laboratory time (while offset by increasing 
classroom time) and also from eliminating the exemptions currently 
issued for aviation mechanic testing requirements. The estimated total 
benefits of this rule are about $10 million ($7 million, present value 
at 7%).
    The two compliance costs of the rule are initial curriculum 
revisions and subsequent curriculum revisions, The estimated total 
costs are about $4 million ($3 million, present value at 7%).
    Net benefits equal approximately $7 million ($3 million, present 
value at 7%).

                                                                      Net Benefits
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Benefits                                         Cost
                                -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         Exemptions          Changes  to                                                            Net        Present
              Year              ---------------------------      the          Total       Initial     Subsequent      Total       benefits    value  net
                                   Private                   curriculum     benefits     curriculum   curriculum      costs                    benefits
                                    sector     Government       hours                    revisions     revisions
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2016-2025......................     $63,429      $185,403   $10,206,000   $10,454,831   $3,456,430      $315,801   $3,772,230   $6,682,601   $3,346,000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Who is potentially affected by this rule?
    Aviation maintenance technician schools and the FAA.
3. Assumptions
     The analysis is conducted in constant dollars with 2014 as 
the base year.
     We calculated the present value of the potential benefit 
stream by discounting the monetary values using a 7 percent interest 
rate from 2016 to 2025.
     This final rule will become effective in 2016. We assume 
the compliance date will be one year after the effective date (2017).
     We assume no growth in the number of Aviation Maintenance 
Technician Schools.
     As per DOT guidance, we assume that there will be a 1.18 
percent projected annual increase in real wages.
4. Benefits
    From 2016 to 2025, the estimated total benefits of this rule to 
aviation maintenance technician schools, and the FAA are about $10 
million ($7 million, present value at 7%).
5. Costs
    From 2016 to 2025, the estimated total costs are about $4 million 
($3 million, present value at 7%).

B. Regulatory Flexibility Determination

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (Pub. L. 96-354) (RFA) 
establishes ``as a principle of regulatory issuance that agencies shall 
endeavor, consistent with the objectives of the rule and of applicable 
statutes, to fit regulatory and informational requirements to the scale 
of the businesses, organizations, and governmental jurisdictions 
subject to regulation. To achieve this principle,

[[Page 59682]]

agencies are required to solicit and consider flexible regulatory 
proposals and to explain the rationale for their actions to assure that 
such proposals are given serious consideration.'' The RFA covers a 
wide-range of small entities, including small businesses, not-for-
profit organizations, and small governmental jurisdictions.
    Agencies must perform a review to determine whether a rule will 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. If the agency determines that it will, the agency must 
prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis as described in the RFA.
    However, if an agency determines that a rule is not expected to 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities, section 605(b) of the RFA provides that the head of the 
agency may so certify and a regulatory flexibility analysis is not 
required. The certification must include a statement providing the 
factual basis for this determination, and the reasoning should be 
clear.
    The FAA identified a total of 20 proprietary technician schools 
with less than 1,500 employees which are classified as small entities.
    The FAA believes that this proposed rule would not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of entities for the 
following reason:
    The FAA estimates that their ratio of annualized costs to annual 
revenue is between 0.004% and 0.599%, which is not considered a 
significant economic impact. Therefore, as provided in section 605(b), 
the head of the FAA certifies that this rulemaking will not result in a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.

C. International Trade Impact Assessment

    The Trade Agreements Act of 1979 (Pub. L. 96-39), as amended by the 
Uruguay Round Agreements Act (Pub. L. 103-465), prohibits Federal 
agencies from establishing standards or engaging in related activities 
that create unnecessary obstacles to the foreign commerce of the United 
States. Pursuant to these Acts, the establishment of standards is not 
considered an unnecessary obstacle to the foreign commerce of the 
United States, so long as the standard has a legitimate domestic 
objective, such the protection of safety, and does not operate in a 
manner that excludes imports that meet this objective. The statute also 
requires consideration of international standards and, where 
appropriate, that they be the basis for U.S. standards. The FAA has 
assessed the potential effect of this proposed rule and determined that 
the objective would only affect domestic firms therefore would not 
create unnecessary obstacles to the foreign commerce of the United 
States.

D. Unfunded Mandates Assessment

    Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-
4) requires each Federal agency to prepare a written statement 
assessing the effects of any Federal mandate in a proposed or final 
agency rule that may result in an expenditure of $100 million or more 
(in 1995 dollars) in any one year by State, local, and tribal 
governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector; such a mandate 
is deemed to be a ``significant regulatory action.'' The FAA currently 
uses an inflation-adjusted value of $151 million in lieu of $100 
million. This proposed rule does not contain such a mandate; therefore, 
the requirements of Title II of the Act do not apply.

E. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3507(d)) requires 
that the FAA consider the impact of paperwork and other information 
collection burdens imposed on the public. According to the 1995 
amendments to the Paperwork Reduction Act (5 CFR 1320.8(b)(2)(vi)), an 
agency may not collect or sponsor the collection of information, nor 
may it impose an information collection requirement unless it displays 
a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number.
    This proposed rule would impose the following amended information 
collection requirements. As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995 (44 U.S.C. 3507(d)), the FAA has submitted these information 
collection amendments to OMB for its review. Notice of OMB approval for 
these information collections will be published in a future Federal 
Register document.
    Summary: The FAA proposes to amend the regulations governing the 
curriculum and operations of FAA-certificated Aviation Maintenance 
Technician Schools (AMTS). These amendments would modernize and 
reorganize the required curriculum subjects in the appendices of the 
current regulations. They would also remove the course content items 
currently located in the appendices and require that they be placed in 
each AMTS's operations specifications so they could more easily be 
amended when necessary.
    Respondents (including number of): There are 162 technician schools 
affected by this rule.
I. Private Sector Costs and Cost-Savings

A. Initial Curriculum Revisions

    All active certificated technician schools will be required to 
submit a new curriculum to the FAA and issue updated OpSpecs.
    We assumed:
     162 technician schools.
     320 hours for a manager and 80 hours for an administrative 
assistant for the initial revision.
     32 hours for a manager and 8 hours for an administrative 
assistant for subsequent revisions.
     10 percent of the curriculums would be rejected in every 
submission.
     Subsequent submissions would occur in the same year when 
curriculums are rejected.

First Year Costs

Cost = $0.
Time = 0.

Second Year Costs

Cost = (162 x ((320 hours x $40.79) + (80 hours x $20.05))) + (18 x 
((32 hours x $40.79) + (8 hours x $20.05))) = $2,400,523.
Time = (162 x (320 hours + 80 hours)) + (18 x (32 hours + 8 hours)) = 
65,520 hours.

Subsequent Year Costs

Cost = $0.
Time = 0.

Total Over 10 years

Cost = $2,400,523.
Time = 65,520 hours.

Average Per Year

Cost = $2,400,523/10 = $240,052.
Time = 65,520 hours/10 = 6,552 hours.

B. Subsequent Curriculum Revisions

B.1. Requests for Amendments to the Curriculums

    Technician schools would submit requests for amendments to their 
curriculums.
    We assumed:
     9 requests per year.
     We estimate a technician school manager and an 
administrative assistant would need 3 hours each.
     A technician school director would need one hour to review 
and sign each amendment request.
     For the wages we assume that there will be a 1.18 percent 
annual increase in real wages.

First Year Costs

Cost = $0.

[[Page 59683]]

Time = 0.

Second Year Costs

Cost = $0.
Time = 0.

Third Year Costs

Cost = 9 x ((3 hours x $41.27) + (3 hours x $20.29) + (1 hour x 
$103.46)) = $2,593.
Time = 9 x (3 hours + 3 hours + 1 hour) = 63 hours.

Fourth Year Costs

Cost = 9 x ((3 hours x $41.75) + (3 hours x $20.52) + (1 hour x 
$104.68)) = $2,624.
Time = 9 x (3 hours + 3 hours + 1 hour) = 63 hours.

Fifth Year Costs

Cost = 9 x ((3 hours x $42.25) + (3 hours x $20.77) + (1 hour x 
$105.92)) = $2,655.
Time = 9 x (3 hours + 3 hours + 1 hour) = 63 hours.

Sixth Year Costs

Cost = 9 x ((3 hours x $42.74) + (3 hours x $21.01) + (1 hour x 
$107.17)) = $2,686.
Time = 9 x (3 hours + 3 hours + 1 hour) = 63 hours.

Seventh Year Costs

Cost = 9 x ((3 hours x $43.25) + (3 hours x $21.26) + (1 hour x 
$108.43)) = $2,718.
Time = 9 x (3 hours + 3 hours + 1 hour) = 63 hours.

Eight Year Costs

Cost = 9 x ((3 hours x $43.76) + (3 hours x $21.51) + (1 hour x 
$109.71)) = $2,750.
Time = 9 x (3 hours + 3 hours + 1 hour) = 63 hours.

Ninth Year Costs

Cost = 9 x ((3 hours x $44.28) + (3 hours x $21.76) + (1 hour x 
$111.01)) = $2,782.
Time = 9 x (3 hours + 3 hours + 1 hour) = 63 hours.

Tenth Year Costs

Cost = 9 x ((3 hours x $44.80) + (3 hours x $22.02) + (1 hour x 
$112.32)) = $2,815.
Time = 9 x (3 hours + 3 hours + 1 hour) = 63 hours.

Total Over 10 Years

Cost = $2,593 + $2,624 + $2,655 + $2,686 + $2,718 + $2,750 + $2,782 + 
$2,815 = $21,622.
Time = 8 x 63 hours = 504 hours.

Average Per Year

Cost = $21,622/10 = $2,162.
Time = 504 hours/10 = 50 hours.

B.2. Curriculum Revisions

    Once the amendments are approved, the technician school curriculums 
would have to be revised.
    We assumed:
     9 curriculums per year would be revised.
     We estimate a technician school manager and an 
administrative assistant would need 32 hours and 8 hours, respectively 
to revise their curriculums.
     For the wages we assume that there will be a 1.18 percent 
annual increase in real wages.

First Year Costs

Cost = $0.
Time = 0.

Second Year Costs

Cost = $0.
Time = 0.

Third Year Costs

Cost = 9 x ((32 hours x $41.27) + (8 hours x $20.29)) = $13,345.
Time = 9 x (32 hours + 8 hours) = 360 hours.

Fourth Year Costs

Cost = 9 x ((32 hours x $41.75) + (8 hours x $20.52)) = $13,503.
Time = 9 x (32 hours + 8 hours) = 360 hours.

Fifth Year Costs

Cost = 9 x ((32 hours x $42.25) + (8 hours x $20.77)) = $13,662.
Time = 9 x (32 hours + 8 hours) = 360 hours.

Sixth Year Costs

Cost = 9 x ((32 hours x $42.74) + (8 hours x $21.01)) = $13,823.
Time = 9 x (32 hours + 8 hours) = 360 hours.

Seventh Year Costs

Cost = 9 x ((32 hours x $43.25) + (8 hours x $21.26)) = $13,986.
Time = 9 x (32 hours + 8 hours) = 360 hours.

Eight Year Costs

Cost = 9 x ((32 hours x $43.76) + (8 hours x $21.51)) = $14,151.
Time = 9 x (32 hours + 8 hours) = 360 hours.

Ninth Year Costs

Cost = 9 x ((32 hours x $44.28) + (8 hours x $21.76)) = $14,318.
Time = 9 x (32 hours + 8 hours) = 360 hours.

Tenth Year Costs

Cost = 9 x ((32 hours x $44.80) + (8 hours x $22.02)) = $14,487.
Time = 9 x (32 hours + 8 hours) = 360 hours.

Total Over 10 Years

Cost = $13,345 + $13,503 + $13,662 + $13,823 + $14,986 + $14,151 + 
$14,318 + $14,487 = $111,277.
Time = 8 x 360 hours = 2,880 hours.

Average Per Year

Cost = $111,277/10 = $11,128.
Time = 2,880 hours/10 = 288 hours.

C. Exemptions

    The proposed rule would eliminate exemptions currently issued for 
aviation mechanic testing requirements.
    We assumed:
     30 exemptions/extensions per year.
     For each exemption/extension, we estimate 3 hours each for 
a technician school manager and an administrative assistant to write 
the exemption/extension letter and for a technician school director 1 
hour to review and sign the exemption/extension letter.
     For the wages we assume that there will be a 1.18 percent 
annual increase in real wages.

First Year Cost-Savings

Cost-saving = $0.
Time = 0.

Second Year Cost-Savings

Cost-saving = $0.
Time = 0.

Third Year Cost-Savings

Cost-saving = $0.
Time = 0.

Fourth Year Cost-Savings

Cost-saving = 30 x ((3 hours x $41.75) + (3 hours x $20.52) + (1 hour x 
$104.68)) = $8,745.
Time = 30 x (3 hours + 3 hours + 1 hour) = 210 hours.

Fifth Year Cost-Savings

Cost-saving = 30 x ((3 hours x $42.25) + (3 hours x $20.77) + (1 hour x 
$105.92)) = $8,849.
Time = 30 x (3 hours + 3 hours + 1 hour) = 210 hours.

Sixth Year Cost-Savings

Cost-saving = 30 x ((3 hours x $42.74) + (3 hours x $21.01) + (1 hour x 
$107.17)) = $8,953.
Time = 30 x (3 hours + 3 hours + 1 hour) = 210 hours.

Seventh Year Cost-Savings

Cost-saving = 30 x ((3 hours x $43.25) + (3 hours x $21.26) + (1 hour x 
$108.43)) = $9,059.
Time = 30 x (3 hours + 3 hours + 1 hour) = 210 hours.

[[Page 59684]]

Eight Year Cost-Savings

Cost-saving = 30 x ((3 hours x $43.76) + (3 hours x $21.51) + (1 hour x 
$109.71)) = $9,166.
Time = 30 x (3 hours + 3 hours + 1 hour) = 210 hours.

Ninth Year Cost-Savings

Cost-saving = 30 x ((3 hours x $44.28) + (3 hours x $21.76) + (1 hour x 
$111.01)) = $9,274.
Time = 30 x (3 hours + 3 hours + 1 hour) = 210 hours.

Tenth Year Cost-Savings

Cost-saving = 30 x ((3 hours x $44.80) + (3 hours x $22.02) + (1 hour x 
$112.32)) = $9,383.
Time = 30 x (3 hours + 3 hours + 1 hour) = 210 hours.

Total Over 10 Years

Cost-savings = $8,745 + $8,849 + $8,953 + $9,059 + $9,166 + $9,274 + 
$9,383 = $63,429.
Time = 7 x 210 hours = 1,470 hours.

Average Per Year

Cost-savings = $63,429/10 = $6,343.
Time = 1,470 hours/10 = 147 hours.
II. Government Costs and Cost-Savings

A. Initial Curriculum Revisions

    FSDOs will have to review and approve the technician school 
curriculums.
    We assumed:
     162 curriculums would be submitted.
     80 hours for a principal inspector to review the 
curriculums the first time and 16 hours for subsequent revisions.
     10 percent of the curriculums would be rejected in every 
submission.
     Subsequent submissions would occur in the same year when 
curriculums are rejected.

First Year Costs

Cost = $0.
Time = 0.

Second Year Costs

Cost = (162 x 80 hours x $79.70) + ((16 + 2) x 16 hours x $79.70) = 
$1,055,907.
Time = (162 x 80 hours) + ((16 + 2) x 16 hours) = 13,248 hours.

Subsequent Year Costs

Cost = $0.
Time = 0.

Total Over 10 Years

Cost = $1,056,907.
Time = 13,248 hours.

Average Per Year

Cost = $1,055,907/10 = $105,591.
Time = 13,248 hours/10 = 1,325 hours.

B. Subsequent Curriculum Revisions

B.1. FAA To Approve or Reject the Requests

    The FAA would review and approve every request for amendments.
    We assumed:
     The FAA would review and approve 9 requests per year.
     A principal inspector would need 16 hours for each review.
     10 percent of the curriculums would be rejected in every 
submission.
     For the wages we assume that there will be a 1.18 percent 
annual increase in real wages.

First Year Costs

Cost = $0.
Time = 0.

Second Year Costs

Cost = $0.
Time = 0.

Third Year Costs

Cost = 9 x 16 hours x $80.64 = $11,613.
Time = 9 x 16 hours = 144 hours.

Fourth Year Costs

Cost = 9 x 16 hours x $81.60 = $11,750.
Time = 9 x 16 hours = 144 hours.

Fifth Year Costs

Cost = 9 x 16 hours x $82.56 = $11,888.
Time = 9 x 16 hours = 144 hours.

Sixth Year Costs

Cost = 9 x 16 hours x $83.53 = $12,029.
Time = 9 x 16 hours = 144 hours.

Seventh Year Costs

Cost = 9 x 16 hours x $84.52 = $12,171.
Time = 9 x 16 hours = 144 hours.

Eight Year Costs

Cost = 9 x 16 hours x $85.52 = $12,314.
Time = 9 x 16 hours = 144 hours.

Ninth Year Costs

Cost = 9 x 16 hours x $86.52 = $12,459.
Time = 9 x 16 hours = 144 hours.

Tenth Year Costs

Cost = 9 x 16 hours x $87.55 = $12,607.
Time = 9 x 16 hours = 144 hours.

Total Over 10 Years

Cost = $11,613 + $11,750 + $11,888 + $12,029 + $12,171 + $12,314 + 
$12,459 + $12,607 = $96,830.
Time = 8 x 144 hours = 1,152 hours.

Average Per Year

Cost = $96,830/10 = $9,683.
Time = 1,152 hours/10 = 115 hours.

B.2. Curriculum Revisions

    The FAA would need to approve the technician school curriculums.
    We assumed:
     8 curriculums per year would be approved.
     A principal inspector would need 16 hours for each review.
     10 percent of the curriculums would be rejected in every 
submission.
     For the wages we assume that there will be a 1.18 percent 
annual increase in real wages.

First Year Costs

Cost = $0.
Time = 0.

Second Year Costs

Cost = $0.
Time = 0.

Third Year Costs

Cost = 8 x 16 hours x $80.64 = $10,322.
Time = 8 x 16 hours = 128 hours.

Fourth Year Costs

Cost = 8 x 16 hours x $81.60 = $10,444.
Time = 8 x 16 hours = 128 hours.

Fifth Year Costs

Cost = 9 x 16 hours x $82.56 = $10,567.
Time = 8 x 16 hours = 128 hours.

Sixth Year Costs

Cost = 9 x 16 hours x $83.53 = $10,692.
Time = 8 x 16 hours = 128 hours.

Seventh Year Costs

Cost = 9 x 16 hours x $84.52 = $10,818.
Time = 8 x 16 hours = 128 hours.

Eight Year Costs

Cost = 9 x 16 hours x $85.52 = $10,946.
Time = 8 x 16 hours = 128 hours.

Ninth Year Costs

Cost = 9 x 16 hours x $86.52 = $11,075.
Time = 8 x 16 hours = 128 hours.

Tenth Year Costs

Cost = 9 x 16 hours x $87.55 = $11,206.
Time = 8 x 16 hours = 128 hours.

Total Over 10 Years

Cost = $10,322 + $10,444 + $10,567 + $10,692 + $10,818 + $10,946 + 
$11,075 + $11,206 = $86,071.
Time = 8 x 128 hours = 1,024 hours.

Average Per Year

Cost = $86,071/10 = $8,607.
Time = 1,024 hours/10 = 102 hours.

C. Exemptions

    The proposed rule would eliminate exemptions currently issued for 
aviation mechanic testing requirements.
    We assumed:
     30 exemptions/extensions per year.
     1 hour each for a Rule making director, an Office of 
Primary Responsibility (OPR) director and a Rule making manager.

[[Page 59685]]

     2 hours each for an FAA attorney, a Rule making analyst, 
and an OPR administrative assistant
     4 hours for a Rule making administrative assistant.
     For the wages we assume that there will be a 1.18 percent 
annual increase in real wages.

First Year Cost-Savings

Cost-saving = $0.
Time = 0.

Second Year Cost-Savings

Cost-saving = $0.
Time = 0.

Third Year Cost-Savings

Cost-saving = $0.
Time = 0.

Fourth Year Cost-Savings

Cost-saving = 30 x ((4 hours x $33.23) + (2 hours x $55.50) + (1 hour x 
$97.51) + (1 hour x $124.59) + (2 hours x $97.51) + (1 hour x $124.59) 
+ (2 hours x $33.23)) = $25,563.
Time = 30 x (4 hours + 2 hours + 1 hour + 1 hour + 2 hours + 1 hour + 2 
hours) = 390 hours.

Fifth Year Cost-Savings

Cost-saving = 30 x ((4 hours x $33.62) + (2 hours x $56.15) + (1 hour x 
$98.66) + (1 hour x $126.06) + (2 hours x $98.66) + (1 hour x $126.06) 
+ (2 hours x $33.62)) = $25,865.
Time = 30 x (4 hours + 2 hours + 1 hour + 1 hour + 2 hours + 1 hour + 2 
hours) = 390 hours.

Sixth Year Cost-Savings

Cost-saving = 30 x ((4 hours x $34.02) + (2 hours x $56.82) + (1 hour x 
$99.83) + (1 hour x $127.55) + (2 hours x $99.83) + (1 hour x $127.55) 
+ (2 hours x $34.02)) = $26,170.
Time = 30 x (4 hours + 2 hours + 1 hour + 1 hour + 2 hours + 1 hour + 2 
hours) = 390 hours.

Seventh Year Cost-Savings

Cost-saving = 30 x ((4 hours x $34.42) + (2 hours x $57.49) + (1 hour x 
$101.01) + (1 hour x $129.06) + (2 hours x $101.01) + (1 hour x 
$129.06) + (2 hours x $34.42)) = $26,479.
Time = 30 x (4 hours + 2 hours + 1 hour + 1 hour + 2 hours + 1 hour + 2 
hours) = 390 hours.

Eight Year Cost-Savings

Cost-saving = 30 x ((4 hours x $34.83) + (2 hours x $58.16) + (1 hour x 
$102.20) + (1 hour x $130.58) + (2 hours x $102.20) + (1 hour x 
$130.58) + (2 hours x $34.83)) = $26,791.
Time = 30 x (4 hours + 2 hours + 1 hour + 1 hour + 2 hours + 1 hour + 2 
hours) = 390 hours.

Ninth Year Cost-Savings

Cost-saving = 30 x ((4 hours x $35.24) + (2 hours x $58.85) + (1 hour x 
$103.40) + (1 hour x $132.12) + (2 hours x $103.40) + (1 hour x 
$132.12) + (2 hours x $35.24)) = $27,107.
Time = 30 x (4 hours + 2 hours + 1 hour + 1 hour + 2 hours + 1 hour + 2 
hours) = 390 hours.

Tenth Year Cost-Savings

Cost-saving = 30 x ((4 hours x $35.65) + (2 hours x $59.55) + (1 hour x 
$104.63) + (1 hour x $133.68) + (2 hours x $104.63) + (1 hour x 
$133.68) + (2 hours x $35.65)) = $27,427.
Time = 30 x (4 hours + 2 hours + 1 hour + 1 hour + 2 hours + 1 hour + 2 
hours) = 390 hours.

Total Over 10 Years

Cost-savings = $25,563 + $25,865 + $26,170 + $26,479 + $26,791 + 
$27,107 + $27,427 = $185,403.
Time = 7 x 390 hours = 2,730 hours.

Average Per Year

Cost-savings = $185,403/10 = $18,540.
Time = 2,730 hours/10 = 273 hours.

Summary

    The total paperwork impact averages $352,340, taking 8,013 hours 
annually, as shown in the following table.

                                                                                          Summary Table
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                   Over 10 years                                                       Average per year
                                                       -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Private sector           Government               Total              Private sector           Government               Total
                                                       -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       Total                  Total                  Total                  Total                  Total                  Total
                                                            Cost       time        Cost       time        Cost       time        Cost       time        Cost       time        Cost       time
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. Initial Curriculum revisions.......................   $2,400,523    65,520   $1,055,907    13,248   $3,456,430    78,768     $240,032     6,552     $105,591     1,325     $345,643     7,877
B. Subsequent Curriculum revisions:
    B.1 Requests......................................       21,622       504       96,830     1,152      118,452     1,656        2,162        50        9,683       115       11,845       166
    B.2 Curriculum Revisions..........................      111,277     2,880       86,071     1,024      197,349     3,904       11,128       288        8,607       102       19,735       390
C. Exemptions (Savings)...............................      -63,429    -1,470     -185,403    -2,730     -248,831    -4,200       -6,343      -147      -18,540      -273      -24,883      -420
 
        Total.........................................    2,469,993    67,434    1,053,406    12,694    3,523,399    80,128      246,999     6,743      105,341     1,269      352,340     8,013
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

F. International Compatibility and Cooperation

    In keeping with U.S. obligations under the Convention on 
International Civil Aviation, it is FAA policy to conform to 
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Standards and 
Recommended Practices to the maximum extent practicable. The FAA has 
reviewed the corresponding ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices and 
has identified no differences with these proposed regulations.

G. Environmental Analysis

    FAA Order 1050.1E identifies FAA actions that are categorically 
excluded from preparation of an environmental assessment or 
environmental impact statement under the National Environmental Policy 
Act in the absence of extraordinary circumstances. The FAA has 
determined this rulemaking action qualifies for the categorical 
exclusion identified in paragraph 312d and involves no extraordinary 
circumstances.

V. Executive Order Determinations

A. Executive Order 13132, Federalism

    The FAA has analyzed this proposed rule under the principles and 
criteria of Executive Order 13132, Federalism. The agency has 
determined that this action would not have a substantial direct effect 
on the States, or the relationship between the Federal Government and 
the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among 
the various levels of government, and, therefore, would not have 
Federalism implications.

B. Executive Order 13211, Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy 
Supply, Distribution, or Use

    The FAA analyzed this proposed rule under Executive Order 13211, 
Actions Concerning Regulations that Significantly Affect Energy Supply, 
Distribution, or Use (May 18, 2001). The agency has determined that it 
would not be a ``significant energy action'' under the executive order 
and would not be

[[Page 59686]]

likely to have a significant adverse effect on the supply, 
distribution, or use of energy.

VI. Additional Information

A. Comments Invited

    The FAA invites interested persons to participate in this 
rulemaking by submitting written comments, data, or views. The agency 
also invites comments relating to the economic, environmental, energy, 
or federalism impacts that might result from adopting the proposals in 
this document. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion 
of the proposal, explain the reason for any recommended change, and 
include supporting data. To ensure the docket does not contain 
duplicate comments, commenters should send only one copy of written 
comments, or if comments are filed electronically, commenters should 
submit only one time.
    The FAA will file in the docket all comments it receives, as well 
as a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this 
proposal, the FAA will consider all comments it receives on or before 
the closing date for comments. The FAA will consider comments filed 
after the comment period has closed if it is possible to do so without 
incurring expense or delay. The agency may change this proposal in 
light of the comments it receives.
    Proprietary or Confidential Business Information: Commenters should 
not file proprietary or confidential business information in the 
docket. Such information must be sent or delivered directly to the 
person identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of 
this document, and marked as proprietary or confidential. If submitting 
information on a disk or CD ROM, mark the outside of the disk or CD 
ROM, and identify electronically within the disk or CD ROM the specific 
information that is proprietary or confidential.
    Under 14 CFR 11.35(b), if the FAA is aware of proprietary 
information filed with a comment, the agency does not place it in the 
docket. It is held in a separate file to which the public does not have 
access, and the FAA places a note in the docket that it has received 
it. If the FAA receives a request to examine or copy this information, 
it treats it as any other request under the Freedom of Information Act 
(5 U.S.C. 552). The FAA processes such a request under Department of 
Transportation procedures found in 49 CFR part 7.

B. Availability of Rulemaking Documents

    An electronic copy of rulemaking documents may be obtained from the 
Internet by--
    1. Searching the Federal eRulemaking Portal (http://www.regulations.gov);
    2. Visiting the FAA's Regulations and Policies Web page at http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies or
    3. Accessing the Government Printing Office's Web page at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/.
    Copies may also be obtained by sending a request to the Federal 
Aviation Administration, Office of Rulemaking, ARM-1, 800 Independence 
Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591, or by calling (202) 267-9680. 
Commenters must identify the docket or notice number of this 
rulemaking.
    All documents the FAA considered in developing this proposed rule, 
including economic analyses and technical reports, may be accessed from 
the Internet through the Federal eRulemaking Portal referenced in item 
(1) above.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 147

    Aircraft, Airmen, Educational facilities, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Schools.

The Proposed Amendment

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation 
Administration proposes to amend chapter I of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations as follows:

PART 147--AVIATION MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN SCHOOLS

0
1. The authority citation for part 147 would read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701-44702, 44707, 44709.

0
2. Revise Sec.  147.1 to read as follows:

Sec.  147.1  Applicability.

    This part describes how to obtain an aviation maintenance 
technician school certificate and associated ratings. This part also 
contains the rules each FAA-certificated school must follow in 
conducting its operations.
0
3. Revise Sec.  147.3 to read as follows:

Sec.  147.3  Certificate and operations specifications requirements.

    No person may operate as a certificated aviation maintenance 
technician school without, or in violation of, an aviation maintenance 
technician school certificate, rating, or operations specifications 
issued under this part.
0
4. Revise Sec.  147.5 to read as follows:

Sec.  147.5  Application and issue.

    (a) An application for a certificate and rating, or for an 
additional rating, must be made in a format acceptable to the FAA and 
must include the following:
    (1) A description of the proposed curriculum;
    (2) A list of the facilities, including their physical addresses, 
and the materials and equipment to be used;
    (3) A list of the instructors to be used, including the kind of 
certificate and ratings held by each, and their certificate numbers; 
and
    (4) The maximum number of students to be enrolled at any one time.
    (b) An applicant who meets the requirements of this part is 
entitled to an aviation maintenance technician school certificate and 
associated ratings prescribing such operations specifications and 
limitations as are necessary in the interest of safety.
0
5. Amend Sec.  147.7 by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:

Sec.  147.7  Duration of certificate.

    (a) An aviation maintenance technician school certificate or rating 
is effective from the date of issue until the certificate holder 
surrenders the certificate and the FAA accepts it for cancellation, or 
the FAA suspends or revokes it.
* * * * *
0
6. Add Sec.  147.9 to read as follows:

Sec.  147.9  Operations Specifications.

    (a) Except for operations specifications paragraphs specifying 
ratings, operations specifications are not part of a certificate.
    (b) The operations specifications issued to an aviation maintenance 
technician school must be available at the school for inspection by the 
public and the FAA at the address required by paragraph (c)(1) of this 
section.
    (c) Each certificate holder's operations specifications must 
contain--
    (1) The physical address of the certificate holder's primary 
location for operation of the school. The address shall also serve as 
the address for mailed paper correspondence between the FAA and the 
certificate holder.
    (2) The ratings held.
    (3) The complete curriculum and the descriptions required under 
each of the subjects specified in the appendices.
    (4) Any exemption granted by the FAA to the school.
    (5) Lists of the facilities, equipment, and materials used by the 
school to meet the requirements of Sec. Sec.  147.15 through 147.19.
    (6) The maximum number of students to be enrolled at any one time.
    (7) A current list of instructors and their qualifications.

[[Page 59687]]

    (8) Any other information the Administrator determines is 
necessary.
0
7. Add Sec.  147.10 to read as follows:

Sec.  147.10  Amendment, suspension, and termination of operations 
specifications.

    (a) The FAA may amend any operations specifications issued under 
this part if--
    (1) The operations specification was issued erroneously;
    (2) The FAA revises the operations specifications template;
    (3) The FAA determines that safety in air commerce and the public 
interest require the amendment; or
    (4) The certificate holder applies for the amendment and the FAA 
determines that safety in air commerce and the public interest allows 
the amendment.
    (b) Except for an amendment involving a rating, which would be 
considered a certificate action, the FAA may amend, suspend, or 
terminate any operations specification issued under this part if the 
certificate-holding district office determines that safety in air 
commerce and the public interest require the amendment, suspension, or 
termination.
    (c) Except as provided in paragraph (f) of this section for an 
amendment, suspension, or termination of an operations specification in 
which the certificate-holding district office finds that an emergency 
exists requiring immediate action, when the FAA initiates an amendment, 
suspension, or termination of an operations specification, the 
following procedure applies:
    (1) The certificate-holding district office notifies the 
certificate holder in writing of the proposed amendment, suspension, or 
termination.
    (2) The certificate-holding district office sets a reasonable 
period (but not less than 7 days) within which the certificate holder 
may submit written information, views, and arguments on the proposed 
amendment, suspension, or termination.
    (3) After considering the material presented, the certificate-
holding district office notifies the certificate holder of--
    (i) The adoption of the proposed amendment, suspension, or 
termination;
    (ii) The partial adoption of the proposed amendment, suspension, or 
termination; or
    (iii) The withdrawal of the proposed amendment, suspension, or 
termination.
    (4) If the certificate-holding district office issues an amendment, 
suspension, or termination of an operations specification, it becomes 
effective not less than 30 days after the certificate holder receives 
notice of it unless--
    (i) The certificate-holding district office finds under paragraph 
(f) of this section that there is an emergency requiring immediate 
action with respect to safety in air commerce; or,
    (ii) The certificate holder petitions for reconsideration of the 
amendment, suspension, or termination under paragraph (e) of this 
section.
    (d) If the certificate holder applies for an amendment to its 
operations specifications, the following procedure applies:
    (1) The certificate holder must file an application to amend its 
operations specifications at least 30 days before the date proposed by 
the applicant for the amendment to become effective.
    (2) The application must be submitted to the certificate-holding 
district office in a form and manner prescribed by the FAA.
    (3) After considering the material presented, the certificate-
holding district office notifies the certificate holder of--
    (i) The adoption of the applied for amendment;
    (ii) The partial adoption of the applied for amendment; or
    (iii) The denial of the applied for amendment. The certificate 
holder may petition for reconsideration of a denial or partial adoption 
under paragraph (e) of this section.
    (4) If the certificate-holding district office approves the 
amendment following coordination with the certificate holder regarding 
its implementation, the amendment is effective on the date the FAA 
approves it.
    (e) When a certificate holder seeks reconsideration of a decision 
from the certificate-holding district office concerning the denial or 
partial adoption of the certificate holder's applied for amendment, or 
of an FAA-initiated amendment, suspension, or termination of an 
operations specification, the following procedure applies:
    (1) The certificate holder must petition for reconsideration of 
that decision within 30 days of the date that the certificate holder 
receives a notice of denial or partial adoption of the applied for 
amendment to its operations specifications, or of the date it receives 
notice of an FAA-initiated amendment, suspension, or termination of one 
or more of its operations specifications, whichever circumstance 
applies.
    (2) The certificate holder must address its petition to the 
applicable Flight Standards Regional Division Manager.
    (3) A petition for reconsideration, if filed within the 30-day 
period, suspends the effectiveness of any amendment, suspension, or 
termination issued by the certificate-holding district office unless 
the certificate-holding district office has found, under paragraph (f) 
of this section, that an emergency exists requiring immediate action 
with respect to safety in air transportation or air commerce.
    (4) If a petition for reconsideration is not filed within 30 days, 
the effective date of the amendment, suspension, or termination shall 
be as specified under paragraphs (c) or (d) of this section.
    (f) If the certificate-holding district office finds that an 
emergency exists requiring immediate action with respect to safety in 
air commerce or air transportation that makes the procedures set out in 
paragraphs (c) and (e) of this section impracticable or contrary to the 
public interest:
    (1) The certificate-holding district office amends, suspends, or 
terminates the operations specification(s) and makes the amendment, 
suspension, or termination effective on the day the certificate holder 
receives notice of it.
    (2) In the notice to the certificate holder, the certificate-
holding district office specifies the reasons for its finding that an 
emergency exists requiring immediate action with respect to safety in 
air commerce and air transportation or that makes it impracticable or 
contrary to the public interest to stay the effectiveness of the 
amendment, suspension, or termination.
0
8. Revise Sec.  147.13 to read as follows:

Sec.  147.13  Facilities, equipment, and material requirements.

    (a) Each certificated aviation maintenance technician school must 
provide and maintain at least the facilities, equipment, and materials 
specified in Sec. Sec.  147.15 through 147.19 that are appropriate to 
the ratings held.
    (b) A school may not make a significant change to its facilities, 
equipment, or materials used to comply with paragraph (a) of this 
section unless the change is approved in advance by the FAA. The 
approved changes must be listed in the certificate holder's operations 
specifications.
0
9. Amend Sec.  147.15 by revising the introductory paragraph and 
paragraph (f) to read as follows:

Sec.  147.15  Space requirements.

    Each certificated aviation maintenance technician school must 
provide and maintain properly heated, lighted, and ventilated 
facilities for the rating or ratings held that the FAA determines are 
appropriate for the

[[Page 59688]]

maximum number of students expected to be taught at any time for the 
following areas and classrooms:
* * * * *
    (f) A suitable area and space with adequate equipment, including 
benches, tables, and test equipment, to disassemble, service, and 
inspect:
* * * * *
0
10. Amend Sec.  147.17 by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:

Sec.  147.17  Instructional equipment requirements.

    (a) Each certificated aviation maintenance technician school must 
provide and maintain the following instructional equipment appropriate 
to the ratings held:
* * * * *
0
11. Revise Sec.  147.19 to read as follows:

Sec.  147.19  Materials, special tools, and shop equipment 
requirements.

    Each certificated aviation maintenance technician school must 
provide and maintain an adequate supply of materials, special tools, 
and shop equipment appropriate to the school's FAA-approved curriculum 
that are used in constructing and maintaining aircraft, to assure that 
each student will be properly instructed. The special tools and shop 
equipment must be in satisfactory working condition for their intended 
purpose.
0
12. Revise Sec.  147.21 to read as follows:

Sec.  147.21  General curriculum requirements.

    (a) Each certificated aviation maintenance technician school must 
have and use an FAA-approved curriculum that meets the minimum 
requirements set forth in the school's operations specifications. The 
curriculum must be designed to qualify students to meet the minimum 
requirements of subpart D of 14 CFR part 65. With FAA approval, a 
school may teach approved curriculum subjects at levels exceeding those 
specified in the school's operations specifications.
    (b) The curriculum required by paragraph (a) of this section must 
offer at least the number of instructional hours or credit hours for 
the rating sought as set forth in paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(2) as 
follows:
    (1) For instructional hours, each instruction unit hour may not be 
less than 50 minutes--
    (i) Airframe--1,250 hours (450 general plus 800 airframe).
    (ii) Power plant--1,100 hours (450 general plus 650 power plant).
    (iii) Combined airframe and power plant--1,900 hours (450 general 
plus 800 airframe and 650 powerplant).
    (2) For credit hours, each credit unit hour must be based on higher 
education accreditation criteria--
    (i) Airframe--28 credit hours (10 general credit hours plus 18 
credit hours airframe).
    (ii) Powerplant--25 credit hours (10 general credit hours plus 15 
credit hours power plant)
    (iii) Combined airframe and power plant--43 credit hours (10 credit 
hours general plus 18 credit hours airframe and 15 credit hours power 
plant).
    (c) The curriculum must cover the subjects and items prescribed in 
appendices B, C, or D, and the items included under those subject 
headings in each school's operations specifications as applicable for 
the school's ratings. Each item must be taught to at least the 
indicated level of proficiency, defined in Appendix A and set forth in 
the corresponding operations specification item.
    (d) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (a) through (c) of 
this section and Sec.  147.11, the holder of a certificate issued under 
subpart B of this part may apply for and receive approval of special 
courses in the performance of special inspection and preventive 
maintenance programs for a primary category aircraft type certificated 
under Sec.  21.24(b) of this chapter. The school may also issue 
certificates of competency to persons successfully completing such 
courses provided that all other requirements of this part are met and 
the certificate of competency specifies the aircraft make and model to 
which the certificate applies.
0
13. Revise Sec.  147.23 to read as follows:

Sec.  147.23  Instructor requirements.

    Each certificated aviation maintenance technician school must 
provide the number of instructors holding appropriate mechanic 
certificates and ratings that the FAA determines necessary to provide 
adequate instruction and supervision of the students, including at 
least one FAA-certificated instructor for each 25 students in each shop 
or class. However, a school may, with FAA approval, provide specially 
qualified instructors who are not FAA certificated mechanics to teach 
general, airframe, powerplant, or specialized subjects. This provision 
does not relieve the school from having one instructor who holds an FAA 
mechanic certificate with ratings for Airframe, Powerplant, or both, as 
appropriate for each 25 students. Each school must maintain and keep 
current a list of the names and qualifications of all its instructors 
in its operations specifications.
0
14. Amend Sec.  147.31 by revising paragraphs (c) through (e) and 
adding new paragraph (f) to read as follows:

Sec.  147.31  Attendance and enrollment, test, and credit for prior 
instruction or experience.

* * * * *
    (c) A school may not graduate a student unless the student has 
completed all of the appropriate curriculum requirements. However, the 
school may credit a student with instruction or previous experience as 
follows:
    (1) A school may credit a student with instruction satisfactorily 
completed at--
    (i) An accredited university, college, community college, or junior 
college;
    (ii) An accredited vocational, technical, trade, or high school;
    (iii) A military technical school, or
    (iv) A certificated aviation maintenance technician school.
    (2) A school may determine the amount of credit to be allowed--
    (i) By an entrance test equal to one given to the students who 
complete a comparable required curriculum subject at the crediting 
school;
    (ii) By an evaluation of an authenticated transcript from the 
student's former school; or
    (iii) In the case of a student from a non-accredited military 
technical school, credit allowed may be determined based only on the 
successful completion of an entrance test.
    (3) A school may credit a student with previous aviation 
maintenance experience comparable to required curriculum subjects. It 
must determine the amount of credit to be allowed by documents 
verifying that experience, and by giving the student a test equal to 
the one given to students who complete the comparable required 
curriculum subject at the school.
    (4) A school may credit a student seeking an additional rating with 
previous satisfactory completion of the general portion of another 
school's curriculum.
    (d) A school may not have more students enrolled at any one time 
than the number of students specified on its FAA-issued operations 
specifications.
    (e) A school must use an FAA-approved system for determining final 
course grades and for recording student attendance. The system must 
show hours of absence allowed, and show how the missed material and 
hours will be made available to the student.
    (f) Whenever an aviation maintenance technician school demonstrates 
to the FAA that a student has made satisfactory progress at the school, 
the student may take the aviation mechanic

[[Page 59689]]

written general knowledge test after completing the corresponding 
portion of the curriculum, even if the student has not met the 
experience requirements of Sec.  65.77. The school must prepare and 
issue a Certificate of Completion to identify students who are eligible 
to take the written general knowledge test. An official of the school 
must authenticate the certificate. The certificate must show the 
completion date and the approved curriculum title under which the 
student was enrolled.
    (g) A certificated aviation maintenance technician school may use 
distance learning as an alternative instructional delivery method under 
certain circumstances approved by the FAA. Prior to implementation, the 
school must obtain initial and final FAA approval of the distance 
learning training program and must adopt policies and procedures for 
managing its distance learning program. The distance learning program 
must show that it will achieve a level of competency equal to, or 
greater than, that required by Sec.  145.37.
0
15. Revise Sec.  147.33 to read as follows:

Sec.  147.33  Records.

    (a) Each certificated aviation maintenance technician school must 
keep current records for each student enrolled, showing--
    (1) The student's attendance, tests, and grades received on the 
subjects required by this part;
    (2) The instruction credited to the student under Sec.  147.31(c), 
if any; and
    (3) The authenticated transcript of the student's grades from that 
school.
    (b) Each school must retain the records required by paragraph (a) 
for at least two years after the end of the student's enrollment, and 
must make each record available for inspection by the FAA during that 
period.
    (c) Each school must keep a current progress chart or individual 
progress record for each of its students, showing the practical 
projects or laboratory work completed, or to be completed, by the 
student in each subject.
0
16. Revise Sec.  147.35 to read as follows:

Sec.  147.35  Transcripts and graduation certificates.

    (a) Each certificated aviation maintenance technician school must, 
upon request by a student who has graduated from the school, or by a 
student who leaves the school before being graduated, provide a 
transcript of the student's grades to the student. An official of the 
school must authenticate the transcript. The transcript must state the 
curriculum in which the student was enrolled, whether the student 
satisfactorily completed that curriculum, and the final grades the 
student received.
    (b) Each school must provide a graduation certificate or 
certificate of completion to every student it graduates. An official of 
the school must authenticate the certificate. The certificate must show 
the date of graduation and the approved curriculum.

Sec.  147.36  [Removed and Reserved].

0
17. Remove and reserve Sec.  147.36.
0
18. Revise Sec.  147.37 to read as follows:

Sec.  147.37  Quality of instruction.

    (a) Each certificated aviation maintenance technician school must 
provide instruction of sufficient quality that its graduates achieve 
the pass rates described in this section. For the school's graduates 
who apply for a mechanic certificate or for an additional rating within 
60 days after they are graduated, the percentage of those passing the 
applicable FAA written tests on their first attempt during any period 
of 24 calendar months must be at least the percentage figured as 
follows:
    (1) For a school graduating fewer than 51 students during that 
period--the national passing norm minus the number 20.
    (2) For a school graduating at least 51, but fewer than 201, 
students during that period--the national passing norm minus the number 
15.
    (3) For a school graduating more than 200 students during that 
period--the national passing norm minus the number 10.
    (b) The failure of a school to maintain the quality of instruction 
specified in paragraph (a) of this section may be the basis for 
suspending or revoking that school's certificate.
    (c) As used in this section, ``national passing norm'' is the 
number representing the percentage of all graduates (of a curriculum 
for a particular rating) of all certificated aviation maintenance 
technician schools who apply for a mechanic certificate or additional 
rating within 60 days after they are graduated and pass the applicable 
FAA written tests on their first attempt during the period of 24 
calendar months described in this section.

Sec. Sec.  147.38 and 147.38(a)  [Removed and Reserved].

0
19. Remove and reserve Sec.  Sec.  147.38 and 147.38(a).
0
20. Revise Sec.  147.39 to read as follows:

Sec.  147.39  Display of certificates.

    Each certificated aviation maintenance technician school must 
display the school's certificate, along with its associated ratings, at 
a place in the school that is normally accessible to the public and 
where its view is not obscured. The certificate must be available for 
inspection by the FAA.

0
21. Revise Sec.  147.41 to read as follows:

Sec.  147.41  Change of location.

    The holder of an aviation maintenance technician school certificate 
may not make any change in the school's physical location unless the 
change is approved by the FAA in advance. If the certificate holder 
desires to change the school's location, the holder must notify the 
FAA, in writing, at least 30 days before the date of the contemplated 
change. The new location must be listed in the certificate holder's 
operations specifications.

0
22. Revise Sec.  147.43 to read as follows:

Sec.  147.43  FAA Inspection.

    A certificated aviation maintenance technician school must allow 
the FAA to inspect the school at any time to determine compliance with 
this part.

Sec.  147.45  [Removed and Reserved].

0
24. Remove and reserve Sec.  147.45.
0
25. Amend Appendix A by revising paragraph (c) to read as follows:

Appendix A to Part 147--Curriculum Requirements

This Appendix Defines Terms Used in Appendices B, C, and D of This 
Part, and Describes the Levels of Proficiency at Which Items Under Each 
Subject in Each Curriculum Must Be Taught

* * * * *
    (c) Teaching Materials and Equipment. The curriculum may be 
presented utilizing currently accepted educational materials and 
equipment, including but not limited to: calculators, computers, 
distance learning delivery equipment/methods and audio-visual 
equipment.
* * * * *
0
26. Revise Appendix B to read as follows:

A. Fundamental Electricity and Electronics
B. Aircraft Drawings
C. Weight and Balance
D. Fluid Lines and Fittings
E. Aircraft Material, Hardware, and Processes
F. Ground Operations and Servicing
G. Cleaning and Corrosion Control
H. Mathematics
I. Maintenance Forms, Records, and Publications
J. Physics for Aviation
K. Mechanic Privileges and Limitations
L. Inspection Concepts and Techniques
M. Human Factors
N. Foreign Object Elimination (FOE)
O. Alerts, Cautions, and Warning Indications

0
27. Revise Appendix C to read as follows:

[[Page 59690]]

A. Metallic Structures
B. Non-Metallic Structures
C. Flight Controls
D. Airframe Inspection
E. Landing Gear Systems
F. Hydraulic and Pneumatic Systems
G. Environmental Systems
H. Aircraft Instrument Systems
I. Communication and Navigation Systems
J. Aircraft Fuel Systems
K. Aircraft Electrical Systems
L. Ice and Rain Control Systems
M. Airframe Fire Protection Systems
N. Rotorcraft Fundamentals
O. Water and Waste Systems

0
28. Revise Appendix D to read as follows:

A. Reciprocating Engines
B. Turbine engines
C. Engine Inspection
D. Engine Fire Protection Systems
E. Engine Instrument Systems
F. Engine Electrical Systems
G. Lubrication Systems
H. Ignition and Starting Systems
I. Fuel Metering Systems
J. Reciprocating Engine Induction and Cooling Systems
K. Turbine Engine Air System
L. Engine Exhaust and Reverser Systems
M. Propellers

    Issued under authority provided by 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 44701(a), 
and 44707 in Washington, DC, on 22 September, 2015.
John Duncan,
Director, Flight Standards Office.
[FR Doc. 2015-24841 Filed 10-1-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
```