Aviation Maintenance Education
& Part 147
Change Is Coming
Raymond Thompson
Western Michigan University
President - ATEC
AABI Winter Meeting , February 2013
ATEC Presentation
Operating Under Part 147
 FAA
approved AMTS programs
are governed by CFR Part 147.
◦ General operating rules
◦ Instructor and facility qualifications
◦ Minimum curriculum topics and levels
◦ Minimum hours of general (400),
airframe (750), and powerplant (750)
content
AABI February 2013 - ATEC Presentation
147 Issues
 Time
is equated to knowledge – sitting
for 1900 hours makes one qualified
 Distance learning may not be done
 Insufficient guidance for principals and
interpretation varies widely
 Onerous attendance requirements
 The minimum curriculum has been once
(1992) since initial rulemaking in 1970
AABI February 2013 - ATEC Presentation
147 Issues
 New
DOE rules defining credit hours
appear to make programs with
federal approval or required
licensure to be considered ‘clock
hour’ rather than credit hour.
◦ I.E. 37 contact hours per credit hour
versus 30 per credit under a non-clock
hour program.
 The
rule is cumbersome and costly
AABI February 2013 - ATEC Presentation
Change Is Coming
 June
2007 – Part 147 ARAC convened.
Recommendations submitted in
December 2008.
◦ Updated curriculum and move out of rule
◦ Allow distance education
◦ Shifting of hours
◦ Utilize operating specifications
◦ Training for PMI’s
◦ Updated guidance and advisory
information
AABI February 2013 - ATEC Presentation
ATEC & the Part 147 Working
Group
 FAA
and industry have:
◦ Written the operating specifications
 Includes moving the curriculum topics into an
OpSpec
◦ Written the new 8900.1 guidance
◦ Submitted recommended content for
PMI training to AFS-500
◦ Submitted changes to the PTS to
AFS-600
AABI February 2013 - ATEC Presentation
ATEC & the Part 147 Working
Group
◦ Written the draft criteria and guidance
for distance education and currently
beta testing
◦ Written new AC 147 language and
FAQ’s
◦ Proposed (in detail) the maintenance
training review board
◦ Currently getting input on the new
minimum curriculum from Industry and
schools
AABI February 2013 - ATEC Presentation
And…..
 Eliminating
the 1900 hour
requirement and replacing it
with credit and performancebased outcomes
1900
AABI February 2013 - ATEC Presentation
Change Is Coming
 These
are major potential changes in
how the FAA will control and oversee
schools
 Schools can develop innovative ways to
deliver the content without having to
add ‘extra’ to meet the hour
requirement
 We
see great potential for cost savings
and higher student interest
AABI February 2013 - ATEC Presentation
How Are We Getting This Done?
 The Aviation Technician
Council (ATEC)
has slowly built a relationship of helping
schools and the FAA work better
together
◦ Mediate disputes
◦ Provide opportunity for the FAA and
schools to interact in a positive manner
◦ As the ‘voice’ of AMTS’ we were the
natural go-to group to work this issue
 1-3 meetings per year in DC with the FAA
AABI February 2013 - ATEC Presentation
How Are We Getting This Done?
 Finding
a ‘champion’ in AFS-300 (Steve
Douglas)
 Building a solid team of ATEC-FAA
 Delivering what was asked in a quality
manner
 Persistence and patience (in large doses)
 Willingness to compromise by both
sides
AABI February 2013 - ATEC Presentation
How Are We Getting This Done?
 ATEC
will take on the MTRB role for
the FAA
 Fostering a growing understand within
AFS-300 of the role of accreditation in
the delivery of a quality program
 Actively supporting the FAA mission and
saving their resources – and ensuring
the voice of schools is heard
 Is
this an opportunity for AABI?
AABI February 2013 - ATEC Presentation
Moving Forward
 What
role should groups like UAA
and AABI play in driving change?
◦ Both entities have roles
 How
can we leverage 147 success
and connections to help with pilot
certification?
◦ Part 61 and 65 certification is not
comparable
AABI February 2013 - ATEC Presentation
Thank You For Your Attention.
Questions?
Raymond Thompson
Raymond.thompson@wmich.edu
Ryan Goertzen
rgoertzen@spartan.edu
AABI February 2013 - ATEC Presentation