FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
First, let's dispell a myth that has persisted in aviation since the first days of regulation. There is no such thing as a mechanic's LICENSE! The FAA makes us go to school and learn our craft, then makes us complete a series of tests and examinations, and then issues us a CERTIFICATE showing we meet the minimum requirements to do our job. Same for pilots, tower operators, parachute riggers and several other careers in aviation. When you get yours look on the front. It will give a Certificate Number. There is nothing I could find in any Federal Aviation Regulation, including Part 1, Definitions, that says anything about a license.
OK, let's get started...
Q: How old do I have to be to become a certificated mechanic?
A: Regulations say the minimum age is 18 years. However, many High Schools have fine Aviation Maintenance sections. When you go to one of these schools, you complete all of the requirements and take the tests, and then on your 18th birthday you can have your Airmans Certificate issued.
Q: How can I complete the educational requirements ?
A: There are three ways to do this. The most popular is to go to an accredited Aviation Maintenance Technical School, or AMTS. Depending upon the schools' cirriculum and the ratings sought, these courses range from 14 to 30 months.
The second most popular seems to be the military. If you worked in aviation and have completed the Joint Military Services Airframe and Powerplant Program and have been issued a Form CG-G-EAE-2, FAA Certification Performance of Job Tasks, and Form CG-G-EAE-4, Certificate of Eligibility you are automatically eligible. Just take these forms, along with two FAA Form 8610-2, to the nearest FAA office.
Certain Military Occupation Speciality (MOS) codes are also eligible for airframe and powerplant experience. FAA Order 8900.1, Volume 5, Chapter 5, Paragrsph 5-1135(H)says how an FAA Inspector will evaluate your application. Similar to the civilian approach, experience in 50% of the subject areas must be documented. Any other training records, including your DD-214 and letters from a Maintenance Officer should be included in your package.
The third way is basically an apprentice program, where you work for an aviation maintenance organization under the direct supervision of a certificated mechanic. This normally take at lest 30 months, or 4800 hours. This time is figured at 8 hours per day for five days per week. Your employer must document practical experience in procedures, tools, materials and equipment utilized in aircraft maintenance. FAA Order 8900.1 Volume 5, Chapter 5, Paragraph 1135(G) will be the guide used by the FAA Inspector for calculating civil experience. As an aircrft owner, you can, and should, log any preventive maintenance or work performed under supervision on your aircraft. It also counts.
Q: OK, I've met all of the experience requirements, what do I do now?
A: Once the experience requirements have been met, your FAA contact will help you fill out two copies of FAA Form 8610-2. Both copies must have original signatures, and no white-out corrections are allowed. If you make a mistake draw a single line through the error, and initial it. These forms authorize you to take the three written tests: General, Airframe and Powerplant. These tests can be taken at any one of a number of computer-based testing facilities around the country. Your local FAA office can point you to one in your area. The General test consists of 60 questions, and the Airframe and Powerplant tests are 100 questions each. You must make at least a 70 to pass. These tests expire in 24 months, so do what you can to finish up as soon as you can. Safeguard these results, as they are the authorization to take the dreaded Oral and Practical exams.
Q: If I pass my writtens today can I do the O&P tomorrow?
A: Unfortunately, no. The FAA requires us to give at least five working days notice. This is so that if they want to come out and watch us (Yes, we get tested, too. If they do show up, it's for me, not you, so relax), they have time to plan.
Q: I got my training and writtens done in New Jersey. Can I come to Memphis and do the Oral and Practical with you? Or can you come to me?
A: Let's answer the second question first; due to the equipment and facilities we are required to have, we are restricted to that physical place we maintain. However, you are welcome to come from wherever you live to enjoy the Memphis atmosphere. In this case, the FAA requires a bit more time, so they can converse with your local FSDO. At least a week will do.
Q: What can I expect during the Oral and Practical tests?
A: Be prepared to spend 9 to 12 hours (or more) showing your competence in several different areas, including preparation of paperwork, knowlege of the Federal Regulations, weight and balance, sheet metal work, troubleshooting, basic electrical procedures, non-destructive testing, and other areas. If you've paid attention in school, or have first hand experience, you should have no problems. I try to keep things on as light a level as possible. IT IS NOT MY JOB TO FAIL YOU, IT IS TO ENSURE YOU HAVE LEARNED THE MINIMUM NECESSARY TO SAFELY DO THE JOB.
Q: Well, I passed the writtens, and you say I passed the Oral and Practical exams. How long before I get a certificate and can work on airplanes?
A: If you sucessfully complete the O&P I will write your Temporary Certificate before you leave my office, and you can legally work within the certificate you applied for. You should receive your permanent plastic certificate in the mail within a month or so.
If there are any specific questions you need answered, call your local FAA office (FSDO), look online at www.faa.gov, or contact me. I will do all I can to correctly answer your questions.
First, let's dispell a myth that has persisted in aviation since the first days of regulation. There is no such thing as a mechanic's LICENSE! The FAA makes us go to school and learn our craft, then makes us complete a series of tests and examinations, and then issues us a CERTIFICATE showing we meet the minimum requirements to do our job. Same for pilots, tower operators, parachute riggers and several other careers in aviation. When you get yours look on the front. It will give a Certificate Number. There is nothing I could find in any Federal Aviation Regulation, including Part 1, Definitions, that says anything about a license.
OK, let's get started...
Q: How old do I have to be to become a certificated mechanic?
A: Regulations say the minimum age is 18 years. However, many High Schools have fine Aviation Maintenance sections. When you go to one of these schools, you complete all of the requirements and take the tests, and then on your 18th birthday you can have your Airmans Certificate issued.
Q: How can I complete the educational requirements ?
A: There are three ways to do this. The most popular is to go to an accredited Aviation Maintenance Technical School, or AMTS. Depending upon the schools' cirriculum and the ratings sought, these courses range from 14 to 30 months.
The second most popular seems to be the military. If you worked in aviation and have completed the Joint Military Services Airframe and Powerplant Program and have been issued a Form CG-G-EAE-2, FAA Certification Performance of Job Tasks, and Form CG-G-EAE-4, Certificate of Eligibility you are automatically eligible. Just take these forms, along with two FAA Form 8610-2, to the nearest FAA office.
Certain Military Occupation Speciality (MOS) codes are also eligible for airframe and powerplant experience. FAA Order 8900.1, Volume 5, Chapter 5, Paragrsph 5-1135(H)says how an FAA Inspector will evaluate your application. Similar to the civilian approach, experience in 50% of the subject areas must be documented. Any other training records, including your DD-214 and letters from a Maintenance Officer should be included in your package.
The third way is basically an apprentice program, where you work for an aviation maintenance organization under the direct supervision of a certificated mechanic. This normally take at lest 30 months, or 4800 hours. This time is figured at 8 hours per day for five days per week. Your employer must document practical experience in procedures, tools, materials and equipment utilized in aircraft maintenance. FAA Order 8900.1 Volume 5, Chapter 5, Paragraph 1135(G) will be the guide used by the FAA Inspector for calculating civil experience. As an aircrft owner, you can, and should, log any preventive maintenance or work performed under supervision on your aircraft. It also counts.
Q: OK, I've met all of the experience requirements, what do I do now?
A: Once the experience requirements have been met, your FAA contact will help you fill out two copies of FAA Form 8610-2. Both copies must have original signatures, and no white-out corrections are allowed. If you make a mistake draw a single line through the error, and initial it. These forms authorize you to take the three written tests: General, Airframe and Powerplant. These tests can be taken at any one of a number of computer-based testing facilities around the country. Your local FAA office can point you to one in your area. The General test consists of 60 questions, and the Airframe and Powerplant tests are 100 questions each. You must make at least a 70 to pass. These tests expire in 24 months, so do what you can to finish up as soon as you can. Safeguard these results, as they are the authorization to take the dreaded Oral and Practical exams.
Q: If I pass my writtens today can I do the O&P tomorrow?
A: Unfortunately, no. The FAA requires us to give at least five working days notice. This is so that if they want to come out and watch us (Yes, we get tested, too. If they do show up, it's for me, not you, so relax), they have time to plan.
Q: I got my training and writtens done in New Jersey. Can I come to Memphis and do the Oral and Practical with you? Or can you come to me?
A: Let's answer the second question first; due to the equipment and facilities we are required to have, we are restricted to that physical place we maintain. However, you are welcome to come from wherever you live to enjoy the Memphis atmosphere. In this case, the FAA requires a bit more time, so they can converse with your local FSDO. At least a week will do.
Q: What can I expect during the Oral and Practical tests?
A: Be prepared to spend 9 to 12 hours (or more) showing your competence in several different areas, including preparation of paperwork, knowlege of the Federal Regulations, weight and balance, sheet metal work, troubleshooting, basic electrical procedures, non-destructive testing, and other areas. If you've paid attention in school, or have first hand experience, you should have no problems. I try to keep things on as light a level as possible. IT IS NOT MY JOB TO FAIL YOU, IT IS TO ENSURE YOU HAVE LEARNED THE MINIMUM NECESSARY TO SAFELY DO THE JOB.
Q: Well, I passed the writtens, and you say I passed the Oral and Practical exams. How long before I get a certificate and can work on airplanes?
A: If you sucessfully complete the O&P I will write your Temporary Certificate before you leave my office, and you can legally work within the certificate you applied for. You should receive your permanent plastic certificate in the mail within a month or so.
If there are any specific questions you need answered, call your local FAA office (FSDO), look online at www.faa.gov, or contact me. I will do all I can to correctly answer your questions.