Press Release

Issued by Aircraft Electronics Association.

June 23, 2021

During this morning's regulatory session at the 64th annual AEA International Convention & Trade Show in Dallas, Texas, the Federal Aviation Administration announced it has accepted the Aircraft Electronics Association's avionics technician apprenticeship programme as satisfying regulatory compliance for the issuance of a repairman certificate. The announcement was made to convention attendees by Jackie L. Black, manager of the FAA's aircraft maintenance division.

"After careful review of the AEA avionics technician apprenticeship programme, we find that this programme will assess the competencies of the avionics technician," wrote Black in a June 16, 2021, letter to the AEA. "We agree that successful completion of this programme will meet the intent of the regulation stated in 14 CFR section 65.101 (a)(5)(ii) for the issuance of a repairman's certificate."

Today's announcement by the FAA follows prior approval of the AEA's avionics technician apprenticeship programme from the United States Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration, Office of Apprenticeship. Bulletin 2020-12 published on October 31, 2019 gave approval of the competency-based occupational framework that meets industry standards for an avionics technician.

"Now that the avionics technician apprenticeship programme has been accepted by the Federal Aviation Administration and approved by the Department of Labor, AEA member repair stations have another tool to grow their own and successfully recruit, train and retain qualified technicians," said Mike Adamson, AEA president and chief executive officer. "It is another critical step in our industry's ongoing workforce development efforts and offers a new career pathway where individuals can simultaneously earn a competitive wage, gain knowledge with structured learning and on-the-job training and achieve industry-recognised credentials."

The avionics apprenticeship programme was first created by a team of AEA member repair station and manufacturer representatives who partnered with the AEA and the Urban Institute. Founded in 1968, the Washington, D.C.-based Urban Institute is a nonprofit research organisation that collaborates with stakeholders to craft relevant solutions and strategies in order to address future obstacles.