Aircraft Maintenance Technician Schools (AMTS)

The FAA Flight Standards Service (FS) is making key improvements to application processing by combining elements of the certification process.

Effective January 24, 2024, FS is utilizing a new process to increase applicant readiness for initial certifications, which is applicable to applicants for an air carrier, air operator, or air agency certificate, or the issuance of management specifications (MSpec) in accordance with Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) parts 91 subpart K (part 91K), 125, 133, 135, 137, 141, 142, 145 (Domestic), and 147.

This new process is a continuation of our efforts to enhance the certification process. FS is committed to designing long term, sustainable improvements that reduce certification wait times and improve application processing times. Please see FAA Notice 8900.687 for further information.

An AMTS is an educational facility certificated by the FAA, under 14 CFR part 147, to train students in the knowledge and skills required for careers in the aviation maintenance industry. When all other eligibility requirements are met, an authenticated document issued by a part 147 AMTS can be used by a mechanic applicant to show eligibility to test for a mechanic certificate airframe and/or powerplant rating, as applicable to the curriculum from which the applicant graduated/completed. The goal of any AMTS should be to prepare students with the basic knowledge, skills, and attitude to be successful in an aviation maintenance career.

An AMTS may be FAA-certificated for the following ratings:

• Airframe.
• Powerplant.
• Airframe and Powerplant (A&P).

The ratings issued to an AMTS indicate what curriculum(s) the school is authorized to deliver, and subsequently issue a certificate of completion for. An AMTS may only issue a certificate of completion upon a student’s graduation from a specific curriculum, consistent with the schools ratings. The general portion of a curriculum is not a rating, but must be completed as a required part of any rating, pursuant to regulation.
A certificated AMTS is issued an Air Agency certificate as well as Operations Specifications (OpSpecs) which are legal documents by which FAA authorizes the AMTS to operate and describes the schools’ operational requirements, conditions, and limitations. Each authorizing document forms a legal contract between FAA and the certificate holder.

The AMTS certification process is an interaction between the AMTS applicant and the FAA. The certification process extends from the initial inquiry by the school applicant to the final issuance of the Air Agency Certificate and operations specifications (OpSpecs). This process ensures the school’s method of compliance with curriculum, policies and procedures, facilities, equipment, materials, and personnel regulatory requirements are thoroughly reviewed, evaluated, and validated. Any questions about this process should be directed to the nearest Flight Standards District Office (FSDO).

There are 5 phases in the certification process, beginning with pre-application and ending with certificate issuance. Advisory Circular (AC) 147-3C and the applicable FAA Order 8900.1 guidance in the FAA’s Dynamic Regulatory System (DRS) contain detailed descriptions of the applicant requirements in each phase. The certification process flowchart included below provides an overview of the part 147 certification process.

• Certification Process Flowchart
• Phase 1 — Pre-application —
  In this phase applicants conduct an initial inquiry by first educating themselves on part 147 requirements, and then contacting their local FAA office and advising of their intent to pursue part 147 AMTS certification. The AMTS applicant must submit a completed FAA form 8400-6, Pre-Application Statement of Intent to start the certification process. The FAA will arrange for a pre-application meeting with the applicant once it has the necessary resources to proceed with the certification.
  
• Phase 2 — Formal Application
  In this phase the applicant meets with FAA for a formal application meeting and submits all required documents for the application.
  
• Phase 3 — Document Compliance
  In this phase FAA reviews the submitted certification documents to ensure compliance with part 147 requirements. If deficiencies are found in the application documents, FAA will return these documents to the applicant with a letter outlining the deficient areas.
  
• Phase 4 — Demonstration and Inspection
  In this phase FAA will arrange with the applicant to inspect the facility. At this point, FAA expects the AMTS facility to be complete with all the appropriate equipment and materials to support the AMTS’s ratings and curriculum. During the inspection, FAA inspectors will carefully examine the facilities, equipment and materials to ensure that FAA requirements are met and the AMTS can provide a safe and effective learning environment.
  
• Phase 5 — Certification
  When all the regulatory requirements have been met, the school will be issued an AMTS Air Agency certificate and appropriate Operations Specifications.

• 8400-6, Pre-application Statement of Intent ( PASI )
• 8310-6, Aviation Maintenance Technician School Certificate and Ratings Application.
• 8000-4, Air Agency Certificate. (This form is available only to FAA personnel)