A mechanic has not exercised the privileges of an Airframe and Powerplant certificate for the past 30 months. According to 14 CFR 65.83, what must this mechanic do before performing maintenance and approving an aircraft for return to service?
- AShow the FAA Administrator that they have been actively engaged in maintaining aircraft for at least 6 months within the preceding 24 months, or otherwise satisfy the Administrator of their ability
- BRetake and pass the original mechanic knowledge and practical tests in full
- CSimply notify the FAA in writing of the intent to resume work
- DNothing is required, as mechanic certificates never require renewed currency
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Show the FAA Administrator that they have been actively engaged in maintaining aircraft for at least 6 months within the preceding 24 months, or otherwise satisfy the Administrator of their ability
14 CFR 65.83 requires that a mechanic who has not exercised certificate privileges for at least 6 months within the preceding 24 months must show the Administrator that they are competent, typically by demonstrating active engagement in maintenance work, before exercising those privileges again.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Incorrect; retesting is not automatically required—demonstrating competency is sufficient.
- C. Incorrect; a simple notification does not satisfy the currency requirement.
- D. Incorrect; mechanic certificates do not expire, but recency of experience privileges under 65.83 still apply.
65.83 Recent Experience Requirement
A mechanic must have been actively engaged in maintaining aircraft for at least 6 months of the preceding 24 months, or otherwise satisfy the FAA Administrator of competency, before exercising certificate privileges.
- Mechanic certificates themselves do not expire
- Recency requirement is 6 of the preceding 24 months
- Competency can also be shown by other means acceptable to the FAA
- Failure to meet this bars exercising certificate privileges until satisfied
Memory trick: '6 out of 24' keeps your wrench-turning rights alive.