ORDER 8610.4K AVIATION MECHANIC EXAMINER HANDBOOK April 21, 2006 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION Distribution: A-W(FS)-2;A-X(FS)-2;A-FFS-5,7(MAX); Initiated By: AFS-640 ZAC-341 RECORD OF CHANGES DIRECTIVE NO. 8610.4K CHANGE SUPPLEMENTS OPTIONAL CHANGE SUPPLEMENTS OPTIONAL TO TO BASIC BASIC 4/21/06 8610.4K FOREWORD This order is to be used as policy for administering all aviation mechanic oral and practical tests. This order provides standardized procedures, which shall be used by persons responsible for administering aviation mechanic oral and practical tests. Compliance with these standardized procedures will assure that applicants meet a satisfactory level of competence and workmanship required for certification. This order stresses the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA’s) policy of placing greater emphasis on the aviation mechanic oral and practical tests. This order does not relieve FAA personnel from the responsibility of instructing and guiding Designated Mechanic Examiners (DMEs). The standardized procedures contained in this order apply to DMEs and FAA Aviation Safety Inspectors (Airworthiness) (hereafter referred to as inspectors) authorized to conduct aviation mechanic oral and practical tests. This order supersedes all prior orders concerning the administration of aviation mechanic oral and practical tests. This order also applies to all inspectors who review and approve airmen other than flightcrew member’s applications. Changes to this order and additional instructions will be issued as necessary to meet changing conditions and new regulations or procedures. All persons issued this order will be expected to insert changes as they are received. Original signed by: Carol E. Giles for Director, Flight Standards Service i (and ii) 4/21/06 8610.4K TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION 1-1. Purpose.............................................................................................................................................1-1 1-2. Distribution ......................................................................................................................................1-1 1-3. Cancellation .....................................................................................................................................1-1 1-4. Explanation of Changes ...................................................................................................................1-1 1-5. General.............................................................................................................................................1-4 1-6. FAA Mechanic Certification Policy.................................................................................................1-4 1-7. Designations Issued..........................................................................................................................1-4 1-8. Designee Materials...........................................................................................................................1-5 1-9. Security ............................................................................................................................................1-5 1-10. Information Currency.......................................................................................................................1-5 CHAPTER 2. SELECTION AND DESIGNATION OF DMES 2-1. Selection...........................................................................................................................................2-1 2-2. General Requirements for Designation............................................................................................2-1 2-3. Delegation/Recision of a DME Authorization.................................................................................2-2 2-4. Termination......................................................................................................................................2-2 CHAPTER 3. DME TRAINING, SUPERVISION, AND RENEWAL 3-1. Training............................................................................................................................................3-1 3-2. Recurrent Training...........................................................................................................................3-1 3-3. Supervision ......................................................................................................................................3-1 3-4. Expiration.........................................................................................................................................3-2 3-5. Renewal............................................................................................................................................3-2 3-6. Knowledge and Skill........................................................................................................................3-2 CHAPTER 4. DME PRIVILEGES AND LIMITATIONS 4-1. Privileges..........................................................................................................................................4-1 4-2. Limitations .......................................................................................................................................4-1 4-3. Geographical Area...........................................................................................................................4-1 CHAPTER 5. CONDUCTING AND GRADING TESTS 5-1. Preparation .......................................................................................................................................5-1 5-2. Applicant Eligibility.........................................................................................................................5-2 5-3. Evaluating Applicant Performance ..................................................................................................5-5 iii 8610.4K 4/21/06 5-4. Conducting the Tests........................................................................................................................5-5 5-5. Recording the Results of Tests.........................................................................................................5-6 5-6. When the Applicant Passes ..............................................................................................................5-7 5-7. Applicants Under 18 Years of Age..................................................................................................5-7 5-8. When the Applicant Fails.................................................................................................................5-8 5-9. Disposition of Files ..........................................................................................................................5-8 5-10. Issuance of FAA Form 8060-4 By a DME When Oral and Practical Tests Are Not Administered......................................................................................................................5-9 5-11. Reconstruction of a Lost Certification File......................................................................................5-9 APPENDIX 1. EXAMPLE FORMS (15 PAGES) Figure 1-1. FAA Form 8610-2, Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application .................................................1 Figure 1-2. FAA Form 8610-2, Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application (Applicant cannot list all experience required in Block III.)............................................................2 Figure 1-2A. Attachment for FAA Form 8610-2, Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application (Applicant cannot list all experience required in Block III.)............................................................3 Figure 1-3. Attachment for FAA Form 8610-2, Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application (Applicant is a graduate of an AMTS with affiliated computer test center and DMEs.) .................4 Figure 1-4. FAA Form 8610-2, Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application (Applicant is authorized to take the oral and practical tests before the computer knowledge test.) ...............................................................................................................5 Figure 1-5. FAA Form 8610-2, Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application (Reverse Side) (Typical entries for oral and practical tests administered by a DME. All sections passed. Application approved.).....................................................................................................................6 Figure 1-6. FAA Form 8610-2, Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application (Reverse Side) (Typical entries for oral and practical tests administered by a DME. Applicant failed Section IV. Application disapproved.).............................................................................................7 Figure 1-6A. FAA Form 8610-2, Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application (Reverse Side) (Typical entries for oral and practical tests administered by a DME using PTS booklets. In this pass/fail example, the applicant passes powerplant and fails airframe. Application for the powerplant rating is approved, but the airframe rating is disapproved.) ..........8 Figure 1-7. FAA Form 8610-2, Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application (Reverse Side) (Typical entries for oral and practical tests administered by a DME. Credit shown for previously passed GENERAL section.) .....................................................................................9 Figure 1-8. FAA Form 8610-2, Airman Certificate