[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 191 (Friday, October 2, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 59674-59690]
[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curriculums are outdated, do not meet current industry needs, and can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.

     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<PHONE_NUMBER>.
    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<PHONE_NUMBER>; email
<EMAIL_ADDRESS>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<PHONE_NUMBER>; email<EMAIL_ADDRESS>
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-

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:

     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

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

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

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

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,

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.

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.

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.

     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

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<PHONE_NUMBER>.
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.

    (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

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

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:

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