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 Administration (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date his mechanic certificate with airframe rating was revoked.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 certificate 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 would 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