ATEC Calls on Agency to Reexamine Order 8900.2A

On August 10, ATEC submitted a letter to the FAA regarding FAA Order 8900.2A – Revisions to A&P Examination Procedures and DME Appointment. To read the submitted letter, click here.

Original post from 07/10/2015:

On July 10, ATEC submitted a letter requesting the agency rethink its new guidance regarding the administration of the A&P exams and the appointment Designated Mechanic Examiners (DME). More specifically, Order 8900.2A eliminates the exception for DMEs to test multiple applicants at a time when there is a “valid need.” By removing this exception, the number of examinations will multiply and the difficulty scheduling exams will be exacerbated by the administrative burdens associated with transitioning to computer-generated test questions/projects. 

Additionally, Order 8900.2A revises the qualifications required for AMTS instructors to be appointed as a DME. Under the revised guidance, AMTS instructors not only must have been an instructor for the preceding five years, but they must also have exercised the privileges of their A&P certificate for three years. This additional qualification serves no other purpose than to add a barrier to entry and to prevent some of the most experienced academics from providing examinations.

ATEC has given the agency a chance to reconsider and revise the order accordingly.