Clarifying Repairman Certificate Eligibility

March 23, 2017 - In a recent EAA government and advocacy article, we summarized the eligibility requirements for a repairman certificate under FAA Order 8900.1. This generated a few questions regarding whether or not a repairman applicant must have built the aircraft in question. To clarify, FAR 65.104(a) requires the following of a prospective repairman:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Be the primary builder of the aircraft (in the case of a group build, any member of the group may apply)
• Have the requisite skill to perform condition inspections
• Be a United States citizen or permanent resident

The guidance in Order 8900.1 directs inspectors on how to implement the above rule. It states that the FAA will accept evidence that the applicant has built the aircraft as satisfying the “requisite skill” requirement, essentially making the second and third requirements very similar. The FAA may also accept proof that the applicant has the ability to perform a condition inspection, but the requirement that the applicant is the primary builder still stands.

From time to time, there have been proposals to extend repairman privileges to subsequent owners of amateur-built aircraft, following the precedent set by the experimental light-sport category, which allows any owner to become the repairman upon completion of a 16-hour course. While no specific proposal is on the table at the moment, EAA is exploring the best timing and strategy to make repairman privileges more flexible.