AFS-15-190-E 

March 9, 2015 

 Exemption No. 11198 

 Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2014-0994 

Mr. Aaron Swank 

38777 N. Northwestern Ave. 

Wadsworth, IL 60083 

Dear Mr. Swank: 

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

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

including the date it ends. 

The Basis for Our Decision 

By letter received November 25, 2014, you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration 

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

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

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

communicate through speech. 

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

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

acting on this petition would be detrimental to you. 

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

those presented in your petition. In Grant of Exemption Nos. 6015, 6840 and 8324 (copies 

enclosed), the FAA found there are many aviation tasks that a person with hearing and speech 

impairments can perform without creating unsafe situations. The FAA determined that such 

disabilities may not present a safety hazard and that it is in the public interest to train and 

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

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

of Exemption Nos. 6015, 6840 and 8324; 

 the reasons stated by the FAA for granting the enclosed Grant of Exemption Nos. 6015, 

6840 and 8324 also apply to the situation you present; and 

 for the reasons stated in Grant of Exemption Nos. 6015, 6840 and 8324 a grant of 

exemption is in the public interest. 

Our Decision 

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

Administrator has delegated to me, I hereby grant Mr. Aaron Swank an exemption from 

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

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

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

Conditions and Limitations 

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

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

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

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

delivered, interpreted, and as responded to by Mr. Swank. 

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

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

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

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

Swank must not perform these tasks because of safety concerns. 

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

and/or Rating Application. 

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

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

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

issuance of a temporary certificate. 

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

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

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

Registry Building (AFS-760), 6425 South Denning Road, Oklahoma City, 

OK 73169. 

7. Mr. Swank must provide a copy of the exemption, if requested, to his employer, or 

a potential employer, and any FAA Safety Inspector in the performance of their 

duties. 
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8. Questions about Mr. Swank’s knowledge, skill testing, or recording process for 

airman certification files must be directed to the Flight Standards Service 

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

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

This exemption terminates on March 31, 2017, unless sooner superseded or rescinded. 

Sincerely, 

/s/ 

John Barbagallo 

Acting Deputy Director, Flight Standards Service 

Enclosures 

Exemption Nos. 6015, 6840, and 8324