AFS-16-6831-E 

April 20, 2016 

 Exemption No. 16440 

 Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2016-2932 

Mr. Jordan Jones 

900 Long Blvd, #785 

Lansing, MI 48911 

Dear Mr. Jones: 

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 dated September 21, 2015, you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration 

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

(14 CFR) to the extent necessary to allow you to use a sign language interpreter to take the 

oral and practical examinations for the mechanic certificate and associated ratings, because 

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 a grant of exemption in circumstances similar in all material respects to 

those presented in your petition. In Grant of Exemption No. 6015 (copy enclosed), the FAA 

found that 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. 

Having reviewed your reasons for requesting an exemption, I find that— 
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 they are similar in all material respects to relief previously requested in the enclosed Grant 

of Exemption No. 6015; 

 the reasons stated by the FAA for granting the enclosed Grant of Exemption No. 6015 

also apply to the situation you present; and 

 for the reasons stated in Grant of Exemption No. 6015 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. Jordan Jones an exemption from 

14 CFR § 65.71 (a)(2) to the extent necessary to allow Mr. Jones to use a sign language 

interpreter to take the oral and practical examinations for the mechanic certificate and 

associated ratings, because he is hearing impaired and unable to communicate through 

speech, subject to the conditions and limitations described below. 

Conditions and Limitations 

1. Mr. Jones shall meet all other portions of § 65.71(a)(2) and demonstrate his ability to 

read, write, and understand the English language. 

2. Mr. Jones must comply with the provisions of § 65.79. He may use an interpreter who will 

remain neutral in delivery of technical test content as delivered, interpreted, and as 

responded to by applicant. 

3. There are some duties that a certificated Aircraft and Powerplant (A&P) 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 A&P mechanic performing these duties 

should be able to speak and hear; therefore, Mr. Jones may not perform these tasks 

because of safety concerns. 

4. A copy of this 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 Safety 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. Any 

limitation in the grant letter should be sent to the Department of Transportation, Federal 

Aviation Administration, Airman Certification Branch (AFS-760), Registry Building, 
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6425 South Denning Road, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73169. 

7. Mr. Jones must provide a copy of the exemption, if requested, to the airman’s employer, a 

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

duties. 

8. Questions about Mr. Jones knowledge, skill testing, or recording process for airman 

certification files should be directed to the Flight Standards Service Regulatory Support 

Division (AFS-640) in Oklahoma City, or the Flight Standards Services Aircraft 

Maintenance Division (AFS-300) in Washington, D.C. 

This exemption terminates on April 30, 2018, unless sooner superseded or rescinded. 

Sincerely, 

//s// 

John S. Duncan 

Director, Flight Standards Service 

Enclosure 

Exemption No. 6015