Whenever satisfactory evidence is shown to the FAA that a student enrolled in an aviation maintenance technician school (certificated under part 147) is making satisfactory progress, that student may take the oral and practical tests required by section 65.79, prior to completing the school’s approved curriculum (as required by section 65.77) and prior to taking the written test required by section 65.75.

Once a technician becomes a certificated mechanic, they may perform or supervise the maintenance, preventive maintenance, or alterations of an aircraft or appliance (or part thereof) for which they are rated. However, they are not permitted to perform major repair or major alterations to propellers nor accomplish any repair to or alteration of instruments. These activities are reserved for certificated repairmen at an authorized repair station. Also, they may not supervise the maintenance, preventive maintenance, or alteration of any aircraft or appliance (or part thereof) for which they are rated, unless they have satisfactorily performed this work at an earlier date. This is where the benefit of keeping an on the job training (OJT) log cannot be overemphasized. Whether the technician attends a part 147 maintenance training school or receives the required number of months as practical experience, they have only scratched the surface of the tremendously complex world of aviation maintenance. The technician must either work with someone (like a shop mentor) or must perform the task satisfactorily for the FAA. The certified mechanic must have and be able to comprehend the maintenance manuals and/or instructions for continued airworthiness for the task they are accomplishing.

In addition to having the proper documentation, the mechanic is required by this regulation to have recent and relevant work experience. Although, as it was stated earlier in this chapter, the A&P certificate is valid until it is surrendered, suspended, or revoked, it may not be exercised if the holder has not been actively working as a mechanic for at least 6 of the preceding 24 months.

This activity can be any one or a combination of the following:

A mechanic who holds an airframe rating may approve and return to service an airframe, an appliance, or any related part after they have performed, supervised, or inspected minor repairs or alterations. They may also perform the maintenance actions required for a major repair or alteration, and should initiate the appropriate form (FAA Form 337, Major Repair and Alteration) associated with that work. However, the return to service action must be accomplished by a certificated A&P technician holding an Inspection Authorization (IA). (Refer to 14 CFR section 65.95.) The airframe mechanic is also authorized to perform the 100-hour inspection (if required per 14 CFR part 91 section 91.409) on the airframe.

A certificated mechanic with an airframe rating can approve and return to service the airframe of an aircraft with a special airworthiness certificate, in the light-sport category (refer to 14 CFR part 21, section 21.190) after performing and inspecting a major repair or major alteration. The work must have been done on products that are not produced under FAA approval (i.e., are not type certificated) and must have been performed in accordance with instructions developed by the manufacturer or person acceptable to the FAA.

Similarly, a mechanic holding a powerplant rating has the same limitations imposed regarding the powerplant and propeller as the airframe technician has on the airframe rating. They may perform and return to service minor repairs or alterations. They may also accomplish the work activities required for a major repair or alteration, but the work must be signed off for return to service by an IA. The privilege of performing a 100-hour inspection (if required by 14 CFR part

A certificated mechanic with a powerplant rating can approve and return to service the powerplant or propeller of an aircraft with a special airworthiness certificate, in the light-sport category (refer to 14 CFR part 21, section 21.190) after performing and inspecting a major repair or major alteration. The work must have been done on products that are not produced under FAA approval (i.e., are not type certificated) and must have been performed in accordance with instructions developed by the manufacturer or person acceptable to the FAA.

Once a technician receives their mechanic certificate, the certificate must be kept in the immediate area where they normally conduct work and exercises the privileges of the certificate. When requested, the technician is required to present the certificate for inspection to the FAA, or any authorized representation from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), or any federal, state, or local law enforcement officer.

An A&P mechanic who has held their certificate for at least 3 years, and has been active for the last 2 years, may submit application using FAA Form 8610-1, Mechanic’s Application for Inspection Authorization, to the FAA for consideration as an IA. In addition to the preceding time requirements, the IA candidate must have: