FAA Publishes the New Part 147, Effective Sept. 21 |
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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. We think Charlie would approve...
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 training 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 thorough 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 landing page for more information.
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Get the big picture, takeaways from the preamble, timeline for implementation, and your summer reading list.
The rule is out, now what? Get a checklist, form letter, and other resources to ensure your program is in compliance come Sept. 21.
What has changed? What new content do we need to teach? What is no longer required? Get a comparison of the new vs. old and hear from schools on how they're filling the gaps.
Hear how additional locations will be overseen and tracked by the FAA and what it will take to train away from your fixed location.
Accredited schools will no longer serve two masters. Get an overview of the new framework and how to take advantage of a more efficient oversight system.
The minimum passage rate is one tool the agency will use to assess a program's quality. Get the details on how it will be calculated and the ultimate benefit for data-hungry schools.
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Student and Educator of the Year |
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Federal Aerospace Institute's Brad McDonald and Blue Ridge Community College's Waren Lelewa were recently 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 for award winners. Read more.
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ATEC Wraps Successful Annual Conference |
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Thanks to our sponsors, speakers, vendors, and attendees, this year's event was the most well attended to date. Get the photos, presentations, and recorded sessions on the event landing page and mark your calendar for the ATEC Annual Conference in Chicago, March 26-29, 2023. We'll see you there! Read more.
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On this day each year, we celebrate Charles Taylor, the Wright Brothers’ mechanic and father of aviation maintenance, and recognize the men and women that ensure safety in flight every day. Thank you for your hard work, commitment, integrity, and dedication. In honor of the day, we share, as always, resources for the classroom. Read more.
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ATEC Director Nominations Due Aug 1 |
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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. Read more.
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ATEC Briefs Broader Community on New Part 147 |
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On April 6, ATEC participated in an Aviation Week webinar entitled "Change Finally Comes to Part 147 Training." SUU's Jared Britt, AMFA's Justin Madden, AAR's Ryan Goertzen, and ATEC's Crystal Maguire gave an overview of the new rule and opportunities it creates for aviation maintenance workforce development. Read more.
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Applications Open for Maintenance Workforce Grants |
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The Federal Aviation Administration is seeking applications for the Aviation Workforce Development Grant programs aimed at developing and inspiring a more diverse pool of pilots and aviation maintenance technicians. This is the FAA’s second funding opportunity for these programs. Applications are due June 10. Read more.
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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. Read more.
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Fox Valley Technical College will host an outreach meeting on July 27, 2022 in conjunction with EAA's AirVenture in Oshkosh . Special thanks to sponsor Bombardier and the Flying Classroom. See the agenda and register here. |
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Each year the aviation education community descends on Capitol Hill to advocate on behalf of the community. The ATEC Fly-In will take place Sept. 20-23, 2022 in Washington DC. See the agenda, reserve accommodations, and register here. |
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Calling All High Schools! |
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Choose Aerospace is now accepting applications for programs that would like to adopt the Aviation Maintenance Curriculum for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Currently in the final stages of a year-long pilot test, the curriculum covers the general portion of the FAA mechanic airman certification standards and puts students on a direct path to certification; either through direct-employment opportunities or matriculation agreements with partner part 147 programs.
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Choose Aerospace Selects 2022 Scholarship Recipients |
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ATEC's sister organization is proud to announce its slate of 2022 scholarship and award recipients, which were announced at the ATEC Annual Conference award luncheon in March.
A big thank you to our host of partner organizations who sponsored over $50,000 worth of scholarships, textbooks, tool sets, training systems, and testing fee credits for educators and future aviators.
See the list of recipients and get information on contributing to next year's scholarship program here. |
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National Aviation Hall of Fame (NAHF) provides the A. Scott Crossfield Aerospace Teacher of the Year Award to outstanding K-12 educators in the aviation field. Nominations are being accepted now through June 10.
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Regional Airline Association (RAA) provides scholarships annually to students pursuing a career in the airline industry. For 2022, three scholarships in the amount of $4,000 will be awarded to students pursuing a career in aviation. Applications are being accepted now through June 10, 2022.
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Regional Air Cargo Carriers Association (RACCA) Aviation Scholarship promotes and assists in make aviation as a career choice and to make students aware of the opportunities in the air cargo industry. Applications are being accepted now through October 15.
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The University Aviation Association provides scholarships to students enrolled in aviation related programs. Applications are accepted April 1 - June 30, 2022.
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Aviation Technician Education Council
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