The NATA Maintenance Committee created the NATA Aviation Apprenticeship Tracking Tool – a member-only resource assisting you with developing “test ready and well-documented” technician applicants. This resource was developed to make it easy for you to track your technician-applicants’ progress on the path to obtaining a full FAA Mechanics Certificate with privileges of Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) in just over 30 months or privileges of Airframe or Powerplant in just over 18 months. The tool, available as an Excel download, is based on FAA’s Airmen’s Certification Standards (ACS) FAA-S-ACS-1 Aviation Mechanic General, Airframe, and Powerplant document (effective August 01, 2023) which communicates the aeronautical knowledge, risk management, and skill proficiency standards required for the Mechanic Certificate.
The NATA Aviation Apprenticeship Tracking Tool follows FAA guidance to provide a more comprehensive pathway to employee mechanic certification. Prepare your applicant to return to your MRO as an FAA certificated mechanic with real-world, credible training, experience, and profitable ability:
- A turn-key process for documenting every OJT task required by FAA in order to meet the minimum requirements to qualify for an FAA Form 8610-2 form enabling them to proceed to take the required testing for certification.
- An FAA-recognized template to record “real-world hands-on” experiences in all segments needed to qualify for testing.
- A quick visual check of where your applicant stands in meeting or exceeding the minimum requirements leading up to the testing phase.
- Tracking ability for full piston through turbine-based technicians, customizable toward your business specialty.
- A clear pathway for non-certificated technicians working in paint, interior, or other areas to pursue a mechanics certificate (A&P).
- An industry “best practice” documented process to prepare your technician applicant to more easily obtain the FAA signed and completed Form 8610-2.
Bottom line, this member-only resource assists you in developing new technicians through real-world tasks as they move toward the goal of an FAA certificated position, while producing useful and profitable work as they train, develop, and simultaneously grow your business during the process of securing their future as an FAA certificated member of your team.
NATA will be updating this resource from time to time as requirements change but more so as new ideas come in from members like you on “best practice” ideas targeted toward growing and developing certificated technicians. If you have ideas on improving this resource, please submit those to maintenance@NATA.aero.
To download this tool, log in to your member portal. If you are not redirected to the apprenticeship tool, your company may not be a current member. Contact NATA membership at membership@nata.aero for assistance, or visit NATA’s Membership Resource Center to join.