In an effort to reduce cost and streamline administration, the FAA is proposing a change to the Inspection Authorization (IA) that will now make it a "permanent" rating attached to the mechanic certificate. Other proposed changes include (initial) IR testing to standard ACS requirements, changes to currency requirements, and changes to how you re-instate currency if your currency lapses.
Since the launch of the Air Commerce Act in 1926, the FAA has constantly modernized and updated its approach, particularly with inspections. After all, it was only 70 years ago that what we call "IAs" today were then called DAMI's, or Designated Aircraft Maintenance Inspectors (For more on the history of the Inspection Authorization, see Bill O'brien's piece, "IA History").
Here is a quick summary table of the new Inspection Rating (IR) vs. the old Inspection Authorization (IA):
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As you can see, the new proposed model is more akin to pilot currency, allowing you to exercise your privileges under the assumption that at any point, you can prove you are current.
Notable is the addition of new currency options such as major repairs and alterations, which should broaden the field of applicable experience for IAs that were performing upgrades (i.e., avionics) over annuals. Progressive inspections are also included as satisfying the currency requirement (1), as is an oral exam with an ASI.
Also notable is the on-ramp to re-instate currency if you lapse: an oral exam with an ASI will immediately make you current again.
As for onboarding new IAs, the requirements to standardize the knowledge test tied to specific guidance in the ACS is probably welcomed. While the new exam will still have 50 multiple choice questions, a 3-hour time limit, and a 70% passing score, it will now formally include topics such as risk management. The ACS also adds new emphasis on approved data and documentation, including a renewed focus on the TCDS (see our piece on TCDS best practices here).
As a software provider to thousands of IAs across the country, TBX has automated reporting that creates IA Activity reports with the click of a button, so if you are an IA and concerned about how to prove your recent currency - we have that covered with a format that has passed "FAA muster" for the last 30 years.
DOCUMENTS WORTH REVIEWING:
Comments to the proposal are due August 31st and can be accessed here.
Current list of submitted comments can be read here.
