After more than a decade of advocacy by industry stakeholders, the FAA has promulgated a new part 147. The regulation will usher in a new approach to aviation technical training, one that provides more freedom and flexibility for educators and their industry partners.
The new Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations part 147 goes into effect in 120 days and will continue to govern aviation maintenance technician schools that hold an FAA certificate. The new rule is in line with congressional mandate originating on Dec. 12, 2019 with introduction of the Promoting Aviation Regulations for Technical Training (PARTT) 147 Act (S.3043/H.R.5427). The bill was industry-supported, bipartisan and bicameral, and championed by Sens. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), the late Don Young (R-Alaska), and Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.). On Dec. 27, 2020, the PARTT 147 Act was signed into law as part of the massive coronavirus relief package, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R.133/Public Law 116-260). The new rule introduces a performance-based regulation that will massively change the way FAA approves and oversees aviation technical programs. Under the new rule, for nationally accredited programs, the FAA will defer to Department of Education accreditors in all areas concerning quality of education, meaning the agency will no longer approve curriculums, methods of instructional delivery (i.e., no more FAA distance learning authorizations required), how and where educational content is consumed (i.e., schools will have the opportunity to provide training at an additional fixed location, such as a high school), grading systems, testing schedules, or class sizes. And under the watchful eye of national accrediting bodies, AMTS will assess educational outcomes in lieu of meeting seat time mandates—aligning aviation maintenance education with common practice in other technical-related programs. As part of the part 147 certification requirements, the FAA will continue to oversee a program's facilities, equipment, and instructor qualifications, control the certification standards (i.e., mechanic airman certification standards) that drive school curriculums, and continually assess AMTS performance through analysis of student passage rates. And most importantly for aviation safety, the FAA will retain the ultimate decision-making authority when it comes to issuing mechanic certificates, which it only does after through assessment of an individual’s skill and knowledge. In preparation for the upcoming effective date, ATEC has put together a host of resources and events to support the transition. Visit the The New Part 147 landing page for more information.
3 Comments
The board supports ATEC’s mission and provides leadership and strategic governance. Each fall, the ATEC nominating committee undergoes a selection process to fill vacating directorships, this fall both industry and school representative slots are available. New directors will be elected during a fall board meeting. Learn more and submit a nomination here.
In celebration of Aviation Maintenance Technician Day, members provided materials and resources that could be used in the classroom to commemorate the efforts of aviation maintenance professionals and the achievements of Charles Taylor:
An instructor at Federal Aerospace Institute and a student from Blue Ridge Community College have been named the 2022 recipients of ATEC's most prestigious awards. The annual awards are made possible through partnership with the Northrop Rice Foundation and JSfirm.com, who provide cash prizes as well as registration, travel and accommodations to the ATEC Annual Conference. FAI educator Brad McDonald was named the Ivan D. Livi Aviation Maintenance Educator of the Year Award for 2022, while BRCC Student Waren Lelewa was named the James Rardon Aviation Maintenance Technician Student of the Year for 2022.
Nominations for educator of the year recognize AMT instructors who, either through a single event or over the span of a career, have a direct impact on aviation maintenance students. McDonald is the first educator from Federal Aerospace Institute to receive the award.
Both Lelewa and McDonald received a cash award and was honored at the ATEC Awards Luncheon on March 21 during the ATEC Annual Conference in Fort Worth. ![]() From left to right: Choose Aerospace President Ryan Goertzen, BRCC Faculty and Student of the Year Nominator Fred Dyen, Student of the Year Waren Lelewa, Educator of the Year Brad McDonald, Federal Aerospace Institute Marketing Director and Educator of the Year Nominator Marion Rapp, ATEC Executive Director Crystal Maguire Avotek-Online offers Aviation Mechanic Instructor Training to equip new maintenance instructors5/9/2022 Weyers Cave, Virginia—Avotek’s newest online course, Aviation Mechanic Instructor Training, gives instructors the tools and knowledge they will use every day in becoming more effective, specifically in aviation maintenance. The course is a companion to Avotek’s popular book, Aviation Mechanic Instructor’s Handbook, which was released last fall. The book notes that people have different learning styles, so one should deliver the content in various styles. By offering this training in an audio, visual, and online format, author David Jones is following his own advice.
The aviation community has always relied on finding people with the skills needed to do the job, and then employing them to instruct the next generation. Some new instructors quickly discover that they need additional skills and knowledge to become an effective instructor of adult learners. This course includes over 3 hours of material. Jones created the lessons to cover the core concepts that are in the instructor’s handbook. For more information on this course, see https://avotek-online.com/p/aviation-mechanic-instructor-training To order the companion book, go to https://www.avotek.com/shop/aviation-mechanic-instructors-handbook-textbook/ About Avotek Avotek, of Weyers Cave, VA, develops and manufactures modern, fully functional aviation maintenance training systems; publishes a full line of high-quality, up-to-date textbooks that complement its training systems; and offers online training. Avotek has earned an industry reputation for quality and excellence. Our team of authors includes mechanics, inspectors, aviation experts, and instructors. They are actively involved in aviation maintenance training or working in the aviation maintenance field. They bring their expertise to Avotek from colleges, universities, and current hands-on experience. WASHINGTON— The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration is seeking applications for two Aviation Workforce Development Grant programs aimed at developing and inspiring a more diverse pool of pilots and aviation maintenance technicians to join the next generation of aviation professionals. This is the FAA’s second funding opportunity for these programs. A total of $10 million is available for the grants.
The Aircraft Pilots Workforce Development Grants will educate students to become pilots, aerospace engineers or unmanned aircraft systems operators. The Aviation Maintenance Technical Workers Workforce Development Grants will prepare aviation maintenance technicians. Eligible entities can submit applications at www.grants.gov through June 10, 2022. Eligible entities may apply for grants ranging from $25,000 to $500,000 for each grant per fiscal year. Last year, the FAA awarded $10 million in grants to more than 30 schools and organizations. The Notice of Funding Opportunity for each grant provides detailed information on eligibility, deadlines, evaluation criteria and application procedures. To ensure fair and open competition for the grants, answers to public questions will be posted on the FAA website at www.faa.gov/go/awd. Potential applicants should visit the site to review answers to frequently asked questions, eligibility requirements and guidelines that may assist them to complete their grant application. |
ATEC NewsStay tuned for updates on everything ATEC members need to know as well as ways that you can help the council and the AMTS community. Categories
All
Archives
October 2023
|