Regulatory Priorities

As the representative for aviation technical education in Washington, ATEC consistently advocates for common-sense regulations with executive branch personnel, engaging particularly with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Department of Education officials. ATEC's specific regulatory priorities are outlined below:

1. Ensure consistent and standardized oversight of aviation maintenance technician schools under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations part 147.

ATEC supports the ongoing development of policies and guidance to enhance compliance and enforcement of Part 147, as revised in September 2022. The Council will continue to work collaboratively with FAA officials to refine guidance, improve inspector workforce training, and drive improvements to the certification system.

2. Continually improve FAA mechanic airman certification standards (ACS) and seek regular updates to associated guidance materials.

The ACS serves as the foundation of the certification system, driving curriculum and testing to ensure alignment with industry needs. To maintain its relevance, the ACS requires ongoing review and revision. ATEC is committed to participating in and leading FAA working groups to recommend updates that close the gap between certification standards and industry requirements, ensuring new entrants are well-prepared to meet evolving demands.

3. Enhance the FAA airman certification testing system to improve effectiveness, transparency, and efficiency.

ATEC continues collaborating with the FAA to improve knowledge, oral, and practical testing. The Council advocates for regular publication of sample questions that demonstrate how ACS elements are tested, a comprehensive map of testing center capacity, clearer communication of test changes, better feedback looks for training organizations, and ongoing collaboration between FAA test contractors and designated mechanic examiners (DMEs) to improve oral and practical testing. ATEC also calls for improved transparency and stakeholder engagement to better align the certification process with educational, industry, and student needs.

4. Expand access to airman testing by increasing the number of examiners and removing barriers to knowledge testing.

Forty percent of aviation technician school graduates do not take the exam necessary for FAA mechanic certification, with testing inaccessibility as a primary obstacle. Mechanic candidates can face long wait times, while schools encounter delays and stringent requirements for on-site testing approval. A shortage of DMEs exacerbates the issue, as some FAA offices are reluctant to approve more due to resource constraints. ATEC urges the FAA to increase access to written test centers, expand the Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) program to include examiner delegations, and provide DMEs with flexibility to conduct tests at part 147 schools.

5. Create certification efficiencies through oral and practical testing reforms.

DMEs enter redundant information across three systems for a single oral and practical test (O&P). Mechanic applicants and examiners are excluded from the web-based system used for other airman certifications, often requiring mailed applications for FAA approval. Unlike pilot examiners, mechanic examiners lack comparable discretion, forced to ask standardized oral questions that do not align with the practical tasks at hand and require applicants to complete duplicative projects in a single practical test. ATEC urges the FAA to transition mechanic applications to a web-based platform, grant DMEs the same discretion as pilot examiners, and collaborate with stakeholders to streamline the O&P testing process and improve the testing relevance.

6. Provide mechanic trainees the opportunity to take the general knowledge test earlier in their training cycle.

Under the current regulatory framework, non-certificated aviation maintenance programs, unlike their pilot program counterparts, cannot refer students to FAA-approved testing centers to take the general written knowledge test. This puts high school maintenance programs at a disadvantage, as they are unable to take advantage of the widely accepted notion that completing part of the required testing earlier in the training cycle increases the likelihood of eventual certification. The Council urges the FAA to include provisions in the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act directing the agency to assess opportunities for allowing high school students to take the general knowledge exam.

7. Implement initiatives that expedite service member transition into civil careers.

ATEC estimates that less than 10 percent of veterans with aviation maintenance experience are entering the civil aviation industry. More must be done to ease the transition for veterans who possess valuable experience but lack a clear path to civilian certification. ATEC supports a new FAA tasking—outlined in the 2024 reauthorization bill—directing the FAA ACS working group to develop a military competency test and associated ACS, while also better leveraging the Joint Services Aviation Maintenance Technician Certification Council (JSAMTCC).

8. Reform part 65 to provide clear and defined paths to airman certification.

Title 14 CFR part 65 governing mechanic and repairman certification is long overdue for comprehensive revision. A recent recommendation from a repairman working group, as well as provisions within the FAA Reauthorization Act (see items 6 and 7, above), underscore the need for improvements. The Council urges the FAA to collaborate closely with industry stakeholders to update part 65 and create streamlined, transparent, and flexible pathways for all aspiring mechanics and repairmen.