November 26, 2012

Exemption No. 10663 Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2012-1143

Mr. Luis A. Irizarry

Aviation Consultant L.A. Irizarry & Associates, Inc. P.O. Box 37217 Airport Station San Juan, Puerto Rico P.R. 00937-0217

Dear Mr. Irizarry:

By Docket OST: 2012 Mr. Luis A Lrizarry, Aviation Consultant, on behalf of Mr. Leslie Sanchez Landron petitioned for an exemption from Section 65.91(c)(1) and (2) of the Federal Aviation regulations. The requested exemption would allow the petitioner to become eligible to take the Inspection Authorization examination without meeting the requirements of the CFR.

This letter is to inform you that we have denied your petition for exemption. It transmits our decision and explains its basis.

The Basis for Our Decision

By letter dated October 18, 2012, you petitioned the Federal Aviation Adm inistration (FAA) on behalf of Mr. Leslie Sanchez Landron for an exemption from § 65.91(c)(1) and (2) of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) to the extent necessary to enable him to be eligible to test for the Inspection Authorization without holding a current mechanic certificate with both an airframe and powerplant rating, each of which has been in effect for a total of 3 years.

Mr. Sanchez Landron states he was actively engaged for more that 20 years as an IA before the date his mechanic certificate with airframe rating was revoked. Mr. Landron was allowed to take the mechanic airframe test based on his previous experience performing aircraft maintenance for more than 20 years.

The FAA has given full consideration to all the facts presented by the petitioner and has determined that a grant of exemption is not warranted. The petitioner’s request in itself is not unique in that all applicants for an IA must meet the minimum requirements set forth in the CFR.2

The FAA has issued denials of exemption in circumstances similar in all material respects to those presented in your petition. In denial of exemption No 5964 (copy enclosed) the FAA stated that an equivalent level of safety would not be maintained if the petitioner is granted relief from the IA eligibility. The FAA has found that previous maintenance experience is not an equivalent substitute for being actively engaged in maintenance and otherwise complying with the regulations.

Mr. Landron as the holder of a mechanic certifi cate with airframe and powerplant ratings may continue to derive income from that certificate and continue to provide economic services to the aviation industry, while continuing to meet regulatory requirements, until such time as he becomes eligible to take the IA examination.

Our Decision

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

the Federal Register because the requested exemption would not set a precedent, and any delay in acting on this petition would be detrimental to you.

Accordingly, I find that a grant of exemption w ould not be in the public interest, therefore pursuant to the authority contained in 49 U.S.C. 40113 and 44701, which the FAA Administrator has delegated to me, I hereby deny the petition of Mr. Leslie Sanchez Landron for an exemption from § 65.91(c)(1) and (2).

Sincerely,

/s/

Michael J. Zenkovick Acting Director, Flight Standards

Service