Advisory Circular AC 65-23A
AC 65-23A
CERTIFICATION OF REPAIRMEN (EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT BUILDERS)
Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
7/22/87
Initiated by: AFS-340
1. PURPOSE.
This advisory circular (AC) provides guidance to builders of experimental aircraft concerning certification as repairmen.
2. CANCELLATION.
AC 65-23, Certification of Repairmen (Experimental Aircraft Builders), dated September 28, 1979, is canceled.
3. RELATED FEDERAL AVIATION REGULATIONS (FAR).
FAR Part 21, Sections 21.171, 21.173, 21.175, 21.177, 21.179, 21.181, 21.191, 21.193, and 21.195; FAR Part 43, Appendix D; FAR Part 65, Sections 65.1, 65.11, 65.12, 65.13, 65.15, 65.16, 65.20, 65.21, and 65.104; FAR Part 91, Section 91.42.
4. RELATED MATERIAL.
AC 20-27C, Certification and operation of Amateur Built Aircraft. Copies of this AC may be obtained by writing to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Utilization and Storage Section, M-443.2, Washington, DC 20590.
5. BACKGROUND.
a. Previously, experimental aircraft certificates were effective for 1 year after the date of issuance or renewal, unless a shorter period was prescribed by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Under the amended provisions of FAR Section 21.181(a)(3), effective Sept 10, 1979, experimental certificates issued to aircraft for the purpose of exhibition, air racing, or operating amateur built aircraft have an unlimited duration unless the Administrator finds that a specific period should be established. Thus, performance of recertification inspections on these aircraft by FAA inspectors are no longer required. However, inspectors will continue to perform original certification inspections of experimental aircraft and construction inspections of amateur built aircraft, amateur built exhibition aircraft, and air racing aircraft.
b. In conjunction with amended FAR Section 21.181(a)(3), a new FAR Section 65.104, Repairman Certificate (experimental aircraft builder) Eligibility, Privileges, and Limitations, was added to FAR Part 65. This section provides that a qualified builder of each exhibition, air racing, and amateur built aircraft may be certificated as a repairman and would be privileged to perform condition inspections in accordance with FAR Part 43, Appendix D. However, aircraft manufacturing companies who produce experimental aircraft are not eligible for repairmen certificates.
c. When provided by the aircraft operating limitations, exhibition, air racing, and amateur built aircraft may be inspected (condition inspections) by FAA certificated mechanics holding an airframe and powerplant rating or FAA certificated and appropriately rated repair stations, in accordance with FAR Part 43, Appendix D.
6. ELIGIBILITY.
An individual desiring to be certificated as a repairman is required to:
a. Make application for a repairman certificate (experimental aircraft builder) at the time of original certification of the aircraft. Builders who have had their aircraft certificated prior to the effective date (September 10, 1979) of revised FAR Section 21.181(a)(3) and new FAR Section 65.104 may make application for repairman certification prior to the next condition inspection due date.
b. Be a U.S. citizen or an individual of a foreign country who has been admitted for permanent residence in the United States.
c. Be 18 years of age or older, and the primary builder of the aircraft. For example, when a school, club, or partnership builds an aircraft, only one individual will be considered for a repairman certificate for each aircraft built, such as the class instructor or designated project leader.
d. Demonstrate to the certificating FAA inspector his or her ability to perform condition inspections and to determine whether the subject aircraft is in a condition for safe operation.
NOTE: The eligibility requirements of FAR Section 65.104 are in no way associated with those eligibility requirements for repairmen shown in FAR Section 65.101, titled "Eligibility Requirements: General."
7. PRIVILEGES AND LIMITATIONS.
Holders of repairman certificates (experimental aircraft builder) may perform "condition inspections" on specific aircraft built by the certificate holder. Consistent with FAR 65.104(b), the aircraft will be identified by make, model, and serial number as shown on the repairman certificate. During the aircraft certification procedure, the FAA issues operating limitations, as necessary per FAR Section 91.42, to ensure an adequate level of safety. These limitations may require that the subject aircraft be inspected annually by a repairman (experimental aircraft builder), the holder of an FAA mechanic certificate with appropriate ratings (airframe and powerplant), or an appropriately rated FAA repair station. Condition inspections will be performed in accordance with the scope and detail of FAR Part 43, Appendix D. Operating limitations will also require that an appropriate entry be made in the aircraft maintenance records to show performance of this inspection.
NOTE: It should be noted that the privileges and limitations of FAR Section 65.104 are not associated with those privileges and limitations of FAR Section 65.103, titled "Repairman Certificate: Privileges and Limitations."
8. APPLICATION.
a. Applicants may obtain copies of FAA Form 8610-2 (OMB 2120-0022), Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application, from their local FAA General Aviation District Office or Flight Standards District office. Applicants should complete Items I, III, and IV of this form and submit it to their local FAA office. See Appendix I for an illustrated example. The box for "Repairman" (at top of form) should be checked and underneath in the space for "Specify Rating" print or type the words "Experimental Aircraft Builder." Also, print or type in the "Type of Work Performed" box of Item III the following information relating to the subject amateur built aircraft:
Aircraft Make __________________________________________________
Model ________________________________________________________
Serial No. _____________________________________________________
Certification Date of Aircraft _______________________________________
Applicants should read the Privacy Act statement attached to FAA Form 8610-2, prior to completing this form.
b. When an applicant meets the certificate eligibility requirements, FAA Form 8060-4, Temporary Airman Certificates, will be issued. Permanent certificates will be mailed to the holder of a Temporary Airman Certificate within 120 days of issuance.
9. SURRENDERED CERTIFICATE PROCEDURES.
Repairman certificates (experimental aircraft builder) should be surrendered whenever the aircraft is destroyed or sold. However, in the latter situation, the repairman may elect to retain the certificate in order to perform condition inspections on the aircraft for the new owner. Surrendered certificates should be forwarded to the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center, Airmen Certification Branch, AAC-260, P.O. Box 25082, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73125, with a brief statement of reasons for surrender.
10. TYPICAL AIRCRAFT OPERATING LIMITATIONS.
The following or similarly worded aircraft operating limitations may be issued at the time of aircraft certification:
a. No person may operate this aircraft unless within the preceding 12 calendar months it has had a condition inspection performed in accordance with FAR Part 43, Appendix D, and is found to be in a condition for safe operation. Additionally, this inspection shall be recorded in accordance with the limitation in subparagraph d.
b. For amateur built aircraft, amateur built exhibition aircraft, and air racing aircraft: Only FAA certificated repairmen (show repairman's name), mechanics holding an airframe and powerplant rating, and appropriately rated repair stations may perform condition inspections in accordance with FAR Part 43, Appendix D.
c. For other exhibition and air racing aircraft: Only FAA certificated and rated airframe and powerplant mechanics and appropriately rated repair stations may perform condition inspections in accordance with FAR Part 43, Appendix D.
d. Condition inspections shall be recorded in the aircraft maintenance records showing the following or a similarly worded statement: "I certify that this aircraft has been inspected on (insert date) in accordance with the scope and detail of FAR Part 43, Appendix D, and found to be in a condition for safe operation." The entry will include the aircraft total time in service, the name, signature, and certificate type and number of the person performing the inspection.
{signed}
William T. Brennan
Acting Director of Flight Standards
APPENDIX 1. SAMPLE FAA FORM 8610-2, AIRMAN CERTIFICATE AND/OR RATING APPLICATION
