Chapter 13

Mechanic Privileges and

Limitations
Introduction
Since Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR)
part 65 was covered only briefly in Chapter 2, Regulations,
Maintenance Forms, Records, and Publications, it is discussed
in greater detail in this chapter. This chapter discusses the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulation governing
the certification of airmen other than flight crew members.
This chapter is based on the material contained in 14 CFR
part 65, which has the following subparts:
• Subpart A—General
• Subpart B—Air Traffic Control Tower Operators
• Subpart C—Aircraft Dispatchers
• Subpart D—Mechanics
• Subpart E—Repairmen
• Subpart F—Parachute Riggers

This chapter only focuses on the certification of maintenance

technicians and, therefore, subparts B, C, E, and F are
not addressed.

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The FAA certificates two separate categories of maintenance and any supplementary documentation and will issue the
technicians: mechanic and repairman. The fundamental official certificate and rating.
difference between these two is that the mechanic certificate
is transportable, is issued to the technician based upon his Section 65.14, Security Disqualification
or her training and knowledge, and is not dependent on the This section was added following the terrorist attacks of
technician’s location. Although the repairman certificate is September 11, 2001. It basically states that anyone determined
also based upon the training and knowledge of the technician, by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to be a
it is specifically issued to that technician while he or she security threat will either have their application held if they
is employed at a distinct location of a specific company. are applying for a certificate, or have the certificate that they
This certificate carries a literal address where he or she is do hold revoked.
authorized to work using his or her repairman skills. When
the technician is no longer employed there, the repairman Section 65.15, Duration of Certificates
certificate must be returned to the Flight Standards District Mechanic’s certificates are effective until they are
Office (FSDO) that issued it. surrendered, suspended, or revoked. The difference in these
terms can be summarized in the following manner:
Mechanic Certification: Subpart A— • Surrendered means given up voluntarily.
General (by 14 CFR Section)
• Suspended means the FAA temporarily removes the
Section 65.3, Certification of Foreign Airmen Other
certificate from the holder.
Than Flight Crewmembers
Normally, the FAA issues these certificates only to United • Revoked means the FAA permanently removes the
States (U.S.) citizens or resident aliens residing in the United certificate from the holder.
States. However, if the FAA determines that the issuance of
a certificate to a person located outside of the United States Section 65.16, Change of Name: Replacement of
is necessary for the operation and continued airworthiness Lost or Destroyed Certificate
of a U.S.-registered civil aircraft, it will issue a certificate to An application for a change of name on a certificate issued
that person, providing they meet the necessary requirements. under this part must be accompanied by the applicant's current
certificate and the marriage license, court order, or other
Section 65.11, Application and Issue document verifying the change.
Any person who meets the criteria for obtaining a mechanic
certificate must apply by means of FAA Form 8610-2, If the technician changes his or her name, or is seeking a
Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application. If a mechanic replacement certificate, an application must be submitted to
has had a certificate suspended, they may not apply for the FAA at the following address:
additional ratings during the time of suspension. A revocation
of a mechanic certificate prevents that person from applying Federal Aviation Administration
for a certificate within a period of 1 year after the revocation. Airmen Certification Branch (AFB-720)
P.O. Box 25082
Section 65.12, Offenses Involving Alcohol and Oklahoma City, OK 73125
Drugs
Any person, who has been convicted of violating federal or It should be noted that there is a nominal charge for this service.
state statutes relating to drug offenses, can be denied their
application for a certificate or rating up to 1 year after the date Section 65.17, Test: General Procedure
of conviction. The violation can be relating to any one or more The FAA has designated certain persons to administer
of the following actions: growing, processing, manufacturing, tests associated with obtaining a mechanic certificate. The
selling, disposing, possessing, transporting, or importing minimum passing score for these tests is 70 percent.
narcotic drugs, marijuana, depressants, or stimulants. They
may also face the suspension or revocation of any certificate Section 65.18, Written Tests: Cheating or Other
that they currently hold. Unauthorized Content
If the mechanic or repairmen applicant is determined to be
Section 65.13, Temporary Certificate cheating, or otherwise involved in unauthorized conduct, they
A qualified applicant who successfully passes all required are not eligible for any certificate or rating under this chapter
tests with a minimum score of 70 percent may be issued a for a period of 1 year. Furthermore, current ratings the person
temporary certificate, which is valid for not more than 120 already holds may also be suspended or revoked. Examples
days. During this time, the FAA will review the application of unacceptable conduct for written tests are:

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 • Copying or intentionally removing the test. Federal Aviation Administration
• Giving or receiving any part of a copy of the test. Airmen Certification Branch (AFB-720)
P.O. Box 25082
• Giving or receiving help during the test taking period. Oklahoma City, OK 73125
• Take any part of the test on behalf of another person.
Refusal to Submit to a Drug or Alcohol Test
• Using any material or aid during the test taking period
Any technician who refuses to submit to a drug test, which
that is not provided by authorized test administrators.
is required by 14 CFR part 120, section 120.15, is subject
• Intentionally causing, assisting, or participating in any to denial by the FAA of any application for additional
of the previous acts. certification or ratings, as well as suspension or revocation of
any existing certificate or rating he or she currently holds. Part
Section 65.19, Retesting After Failure 120, section 120.117, Implementing a Drug Testing Program,
Should the mechanic or repairman fail to achieve the required requires a urine sample from the employee. Part 120, section
minimum passing grade, there are two options they may 120.37, Misuse of Alcohol, requires that the employee
consider when desiring to apply for retesting: submit to a breath test. Each section contains a “Definitions”
• Wait a period of 30 days after the date of test failure section and a section titled “Employees who must be tested.”
and then take the test again. Persons involved with “Aircraft maintenance or preventative
maintenance duties” are listed in both sections. There are
• Seek additional instruction in the subject matter
various types (or rather times) when testing is required:
areas failed and provide a signed statement from the
certificated technician providing the instruction stating • Pre-employment
the applicant has received necessary instruction and • Periodic
is ready for testing.
• Random
Section 65.20, Applications, Certificates, Logbooks, • Post-accident
Reports, and Records: Falsification, Reproduction, • Testing based upon reasonable cause
or Alteration
14 CFR part 43, sections 43.9 and 43.11 define the • Return to duty testing
requirements for a technician to make appropriate entries • Follow-up testing
in the maintenance/inspection records for the work
performed. This proper documentation is fundamental to The numerous test methods and the harsh penalty imposed
safe and efficient operation of the U.S. civil aircraft fleet. by the FAA on those who involve themselves with these
Therefore, the FAA takes strong action against those who unauthorized substances or abuse the allowable use of
would participate in the falsification of those records. The alcohol indicates the concern that the FAA has for the
following actions are the basis for suspending or revoking possible impairment of technicians. Aviation maintenance
any certificate or rating held by the person who: is a professional career choice that demands the highest
• Makes fraudulent or intentionally false statement on caliber technical person to be capable of functioning at
an application. his or her maximum potential. There is no room in this
profession for a person to be involved with substance abuse.
• Makes fraudulent or intentionally false statement By doing so, the technician not only endangers themselves,
in any logbook, record, or report required to show but their co-workers, and ultimately the customer who is
compliance with any certificate requirements. expecting to have an airworthy aircraft delivered following
• Reproduces a certificate or rating for fraudulent a maintenance activity.
purposes.
• Alters any certificate or rating under this part.

Section 65.21, Change of Address

If the technician changes his or her address, the FAA (at the
address shown below) must be notified in writing within 30
days after the change of permanent residence:

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Mechanic Certification: Subpart D— of a minimum of 18 months practical experience related
Mechanics (by 14 CFR Section) to either airframe or powerplant maintenance (30 months
required if applying for certification for both airframe and
Section 65.71, Eligibility Requirements: General
powerplant).
The requirements for obtaining a mechanic certificate are:
• Be at least 18 years of age. Section 65.79, Skill Requirements
• Be able to read, write, speak, and understand the Oral and practical tests to determine the applicant’s basic
English language. (Note: If the applicant does not knowledge and skills necessary for the certificate or rating
meet this requirement and is employed outside the sought are required to be completed after the applicant has
United States by a U.S. carrier, the certificate will be successfully completed the written test. The practical test
endorsed “valid only outside the United States.”) additionally requires minor repairs and minor alterations to
propellers to be demonstrated as part of the powerplant rating.
• Have passed all the required tests (written, oral, To assist the applicant, the Aviation Mechanic Practical
and practical) within the preceding 24 months from Test Standards (PTS) have been published by the FAA to
application. provide standards for testing in which the applicant for the
• Possess and demonstrate the appropriate knowledge A&P certificate should be familiar. The Aviation Mechanic
and skill for the certificate rating being sought. PTS include the subject areas of knowledge and skill for
the issuance of an aviation mechanic certificate and/or the
If a technician has one of the ratings and desires to add the addition of a rating. The subject areas are the topics in which
other, he or she must meet the requirements set forth in aviation mechanic applicants must have knowledge and/or
section 65.77, and take the written, oral, and practical tests demonstrate skill. The PTS are available on the FAA website
within 24 months. at www.faa.gov.

Section 65.73, Ratings Section 65.80, Certificated Aviation Maintenance

The FAA recognizes two ratings: airframe and powerplant. Technician School Students
These may be attained by a person upon successful application Whenever satisfactory evidence is shown to the FAA that a
and testing either individually or as a combined certificate. student enrolled in an aviation maintenance technician school
(certificated under part 147) is making satisfactory progress,
Any person holding an aircraft (A) or aircraft engine (E) that student may take the oral and practical tests required
certificate prior to June 15, 1952, and which was valid on by section 65.79, prior to completing the school’s approved
that date, may exchange it for the corresponding current curriculum (as required by section 65.77) and prior to taking
certificate. If both ratings were held, the A & E certificate the written test required by section 65.75.
may be exchanged for an Airframe and Powerplant (A&P).
Section 65.81, General Privileges and Limitations
Section 65.75, Knowledge Requirements Once a technician becomes a certificated mechanic, he or
Any applicant meeting the experience requirements listed she may perform or supervise the maintenance, preventive
in section 65.77 must pass a written test (minimum passing maintenance, or alterations of an aircraft or appliance (or part
score of 70% as described in section 65.17) covering the thereof) for which he or she is rated. However, he or she is
construction and maintenance of aircraft. There are three not permitted to perform major repair or major alterations
separate tests that the applicant for the A&P certificate must to propellers nor accomplish any repair to or alteration of
pass: General (60 questions), Airframe (100 questions), and instruments. These activities are reserved for certificated
Powerplant (100 questions). Applicable portions of 14 CFR repairmen at an authorized repair station. Also, he or she
43 and 91 are also included in the testing. Basic principles for may not supervise the maintenance, preventive maintenance,
the installation and maintenance of propellers are included or alteration of any aircraft or appliance (or part thereof) for
with the testing that is administered for the powerplant which he or she is rated, unless he or she has satisfactorily
rating. Successful completion of the written test is required performed this work at an earlier date. This is where the
before the candidate may apply for the oral and practical benefit of keeping an on the job training (OJT) log cannot
tests identified in section 65.79. be overemphasized. Whether the technician attends a part
147 maintenance training school or receives the required
Section 65.77, Experience Requirements number of months as practical experience, he or she has only
Each mechanic applicant must have a certificate of completion scratched the surface of the tremendously complex world
from a certificated aviation maintenance technician school of aviation maintenance. The technician must either work
(AMTS) (14 CFR part 147) or provide documented evidence with someone (like a shop mentor) or must perform the task

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satisfactorily for the FAA. The certified mechanic must have He or she may perform and return to service minor repairs or
and be able to comprehend the maintenance manuals and/ alterations. He or she may also accomplish the work activities
or instructions for continued airworthiness for the task he or required for a major repair or alteration, but the work must
she is accomplishing. be signed off for return to service by an IA. The privilege of
performing a 100-hour inspection (if required by 14 CFR part
Section 65.83, Recent Experience Requirements 91) on a powerplant or propeller is also authorized.
In addition to having the proper documentation, the mechanic
is required by this regulation to have recent and relevant A certificated mechanic with a powerplant rating can
work experience. Although, as it was stated earlier in this approve and return to service the powerplant or propeller
chapter, the A&P certificate is valid until it is surrendered, of an aircraft with a special airworthiness certificate, in
suspended, or revoked, it may not be exercised if the holder the light-sport category (refer to 14 CFR part 21, section
has not been actively working as a mechanic for at least 6 of 21.190) after performing and inspecting a major repair or
the preceding 24 months. major alteration. The work must have been done on products
that are not produced under FAA approval (i.e., are not type
This activity can be any one or a combination of the certificated) and must have been performed in accordance
following: with instructions developed by the manufacturer or person
acceptable to the FAA.
• Served as a mechanic under the certificate and rating
• Technically supervised other mechanics Section 65.89, Display of Certificate
• Supervised (in an executive capacity) the maintenance Once a technician receives his or her mechanic certificate,
or alteration of an aircraft the certificate must be kept in the immediate area where he
or she normally conducts work and exercises the privileges
Section 65.85, Airframe Rating: Additional Privileges of the certificate. When requested, the technician is required
A mechanic who holds an airframe rating may approve and to present the certificate for inspection to the FAA, or any
return to service an airframe, an appliance, or any related authorized representation from the National Transportation
part after he or she has performed, supervised, or inspected Safety Board (NTSB), or any federal, state, or local law
minor repairs or alterations. He or she may also perform the enforcement officer.
maintenance actions required for a major repair or alteration,
and should initiate the appropriate form (FAA Form 337, Inspection Authorization (IA)
Major Repair and Alteration) associated with that work. (by 14 CFR Section)
However, the return to service action must be accomplished
Section 65.91, Inspection Authorization
by a certificated A&P technician holding an Inspection
An A&P mechanic who has held his or her certificate for at
Authorization (IA). (Refer to 14 CFR section 65.95.) The
least 3 years, and has been active for the last 2 years, may
airframe mechanic is also authorized to perform the 100-hour
submit application using FAA Form 8610-1, Mechanic’s
inspection (if required per 14 CFR part 91 section 91.409)
Application for Inspection Authorization, to the FAA for
on the airframe.
consideration as an IA. In addition to the preceding time
requirements, the IA candidate must have:
A certificated mechanic with an airframe rating can approve
and return to service the airframe of an aircraft with a special • A fixed base of operation where he or she can be
airworthiness certificate, in the light-sport category (refer located in person or by phone during a normal
to 14 CFR part 21, section 21.190) after performing and working week but it need not be the place where he
inspecting a major repair or major alteration. The work must will exercise his inspection authority.
have been done on products that are not produced under FAA • Available equipment, facilities, and inspection
approval (i.e., are not type certificated) and must have been data necessary to properly inspect the airframe,
performed in accordance with instructions developed by the powerplants, propellers, or any related part or
manufacturer or person acceptable to the FAA. appliance he or she is approving for return to service.

Section 65.87, Powerplant Rating: Additional The applicant who meets all the above criteria must then
Privileges
pass a written test (or computerized version of the test) to
Similarly, a mechanic holding a powerplant rating has the determine his or her ability to inspect the airworthiness of an
same limitations imposed regarding the powerplant and aircraft following either a major repair or alteration action
propeller as the airframe technician has on the airframe rating. or the performance of an annual or progressive inspection.

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The minimum passing score for the computer test is 70 Because all IA certificates expire in the first quarter of each
percent. If the applicant fails the test, retesting cannot be calendar year (March 31), and the regulation states that
attempted until a minimum of 90 days have elapsed from the anyone holding an IA for less than 90 days need not meet
failure date. Unlike the A&P test, there is no reduction in this the preceding renewal requirements, no renewal is required
time if the applicant receives additional training. for someone who received the IA during the first quarter of
the calendar year.
Section 65.92, Inspection Authorization: Duration
An IA certificate expires on March 31 of each odd-numbered The technician with IA should note that regulations clearly
year, but may only be exercised during the time the technician state the number of annual inspections (four) and major
holds a currently effective mechanic certificate. The IA repair or alteration inspections (eight) are required for each
ceases to be effective if: 90-day period prior to March 31st. This does not mean in each
previous 90-day period the technician must have conducted
• The technician surrenders it, or it is suspended or
either an annual or two major repair or alteration inspections,
revoked.
but rather their cumulative number by March 31st. Therefore,
• The technician no longer has a fixed base of operations. an IA could actually go 11 months without performing any
• The technician no longer has the required facilities, inspection activity relative to renewal. Then in March, he or
equipment, or inspection data available. she could conduct all four necessary annual inspections, or
all eight 337-related inspections. However, the regulations do
Whenever the certificate is suspended or revoked, the not provide for the mixing of any of these renewal activities
technician must return it to the Administrator when requested (i.e., two annual inspections and four Major Repair and
by the FAA to do so. Alteration forms).

Section 65.93, Inspection Authorization: Renewal Another method of renewal is to meet with the FAA-assigned
FSDO inspector who will determine that the applicant
An IA certificate may be renewed in one of the following
possesses current knowledge of the applicable regulations
ways each year the technician is seeking renewal:
and standards. Although this is often considered the renewal
• The performance of at least one annual inspection for method of last resort, it should not be considered a negative
each 90 days the technician has held the IA rating. experience. If the IA has been performing his or her activities
• The performance of the inspections of at least in a professional manner throughout the year, this session
two major repairs or alterations for each 90 days can be considered a professional follow-up or consultation.
the technician has held the IA rating. (Note: The Proper IA-to-FSDO inspector interaction can be enhanced
inspections can be counted regardless of the approval with such a meeting.
or disapproval of the work.)
Section 65.95, Inspection Authorization: Privileges
• The performance (or supervision) and approval of at
and Limitations
least one progressive inspection.
The IA may perform an annual inspection or perform or
• The attendance and successful completion of a supervise a progressive inspection. He or she may also
refresher course (acceptable to the Administrator) approve for return to service any aircraft-related part or
that is at least 8 hours of instruction. This can be appliance that has undergone a major repair or alteration
either a single day seminar or a combination of (except aircraft maintained in accordance with a continuous
individual classes acceptable to the Administrator. airworthiness program operated under 14 CFR part 121).
Some seminars are sponsored by the FAA FSDO
and are free; others are low cost. Private industry The IA must keep his or her certificate available for
also frequently conducts one-day sessions and inspection by any one of the following persons:
usually charge for their efforts. Regardless of who is
• Aircraft owner
conducting the seminar, it is usually an excellent way
to accomplish renewal, learn about new issues, and • A&P technician
develop a network among peers. • FAA Administrator
• Passed an oral test by an FAA inspector to determine • Authorized representative of the NTSB
that the applicant's knowledge of applicable regulations
• Any federal, state, local, or law enforcement officer
and standards is current.

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If the holder of an IA moves his or her fixed base of operation, The actual sequence of events is as follows:
he or she must notify in writing the FSDO responsible for the • Significant impact damage to the ice shield was
location he or she is moving to before beginning to exercise observed and recorded.
the privileges of an IA. Although it is not required, good
business etiquette and professional responsibility would • The company inspector reviewed and instructed the
suggest that a similar letter be written to the responsible FAA technician to replace the ice shield.
Principal Maintenance Inspector (PMI) at the FSDO in the • Availability of the replacement part was confirmed
area he or she is leaving. by computer.
• The damaged part was removed, and the technician
Ethics prepared the surface for the replacement part.
This is a tremendously broad and diverse area of study. It is
• The new part was ordered from inventory, but the part
also an area that is coming under more scrutiny by consumers,
was not in stock (inventory error).
individual watchdog groups, and government review
committees. Ethics, or more appropriately the lack of ethics, • The inspector instructed the technician to reinstall the
has caused the loss of millions of dollars through fraudulent old one.
accounting practices, shoddy workmanship, etc. This chapter • The technician refused.
examines some definitions of ethics and some examples of
• The inspector instructed the technician to repair it.
poor business ethics in order to raise the awareness of the
technician to the importance of ethics. • The technician researched the structural repair
manual (SRM) and found that the facility did not
The word “ethics” is actually a philosophical term that comes have the proper facility authorization to repair the
from the Greek word “ethos,” which means character or damaged part.
custom. So, it is logical that a current definition of ethics • The company inspector told the technician to apply
is “the study of standards of conduct and moral judgment.” 5-minute epoxy to the area, sand it down, and paint
Although situations involving questionable ethics can exist it.
wherever and whenever business decisions are made, the
scope of this discussion is limited to areas with which the • The technician walked away.
technician is probably associated. • The company inspector found someone else to
compromise standards. The aircraft departed on
A Scenario time—illegally and unairworthy.
The following incident illustrates one way that both personal
ethics and technician knowledge of regulations can work This happens more often than one would like, is probably
together to provide him or her with the ability to make the overlooked by many people, and, unfortunately, might be
right decision. Unfortunately, others in the shop did not considered standard operating procedure (SOP) for some
appear as concerned as the technician sharing the incident. maintenance facilities. It is the responsibility of the mechanic
to follow regulations and to question the actions of his or
A technician working for an airline was involved in a her supervisors if the policy is circumvented to make an
situation that required a repair or replacement of a fuselage ice on-time departure.
shield. The computer inventory indicated that a replacement
part was in stock, so the technician removed the damaged This incident provides some valuable insights into how day-
component. It was then found that the replacement part was to-day events can lead to pressure to produce and ultimately
not actually in stock. At this point, a crucial decision was to compromise the decision-making.
be made: Can the damaged item be reinstalled? The steps in
1. The incident occurred while working for a commercial
properly documenting a maintenance event are to record the
airline. The pressure for getting the aircraft in the air
removal of the damaged part, then document the installation
is tremendous in this environment.
of an airworthy part. Once the technician has committed to
removing the damaged part, it becomes unairworthy and 2. Inventory error added to the pressure. The damaged
cannot be reinstalled regardless of its deferability in the part had been removed because the technician
minimum equipment list (MEL). had queried and believed a replacement part was
immediately available.

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 3. The company inspector was either unaware of • Assuming the behavior is okay, because no one else
regulatory requirements or simply did not care. would even be expected to find out about it.
4. The second technician was either unaware of • Expecting your superiors to support and protect you
regulatory requirements or simply did not care. if anything should go wrong (Gellerman 1986).

Final Observation This latter point often leads to a significant surprise for
The underlying company culture was apparently lacking the individual technician if he or she compromised his or
concern for ethical decisions and regulatory compliance. her standards at the encouragement of management to get
An effective organizational culture should always encourage the job done. Should there be a problem with maintenance
ethical behavior and discourage unethical behavior. This and subsequent airworthiness of the aircraft, the very same
means that not only does the upper management of an managers or superiors who directed that technician to shortcut
organization say that they conduct themselves ethically, proper maintenance procedures would testify in court that
they must do it consistently; employees, customers, vendors, they always encouraged their employees to work “by the
and even competitors should know this company has “high book” and never encouraged unauthorized shortcuts.
ethical standards.”
Ultimately, every organization establishes a climate or
This latter issue may sometimes have painful consequences, culture regarding honesty, integrity, and ethical behavior.
if the businesses are competing for a customer’s business. This corporate climate sets the tone for decision making at
The ethical company may estimate the maintenance activities all levels and in all circumstances. This leads to the second
to take 8 weeks and quotes that time frame to the customer. business example, the Aircraft Brake Scandal. Although this
The unethical company may also know the work takes 8 incident occurred at the B.F. Goodrich Wheel and Brake
weeks, but tells the customer only 6 weeks, hoping to get Plant in Troy, Ohio, and is therefore focused on the design,
the job. Once the plane is “captured” and maintenance has manufacture, and test of wheels and brakes for the U.S. Air
begun, explanations and excuses extend the original time Force A-7D, it is a classic case of both personal ethics and
estimate of 6 weeks to the actual 8 weeks or longer. Although “whistle blowing.” A brief review of the pertinent facts in
the customer would be disappointed in this situation, few the incident follows.
customers would be able to remove an aircraft undergoing
maintenance. This “bait and switch” tactic is often used by A young engineering technician is in charge of conducting
unscrupulous companies to get an aircraft into their shop the required qualification testing for a newly designed
no matter what it takes. Although the shop’s retention of brake and rotor system awarded to the B.F. Goodrich Co.
clients is frequently very low, there always seem to be new by L.T.V. Aerospace. An aggressive time schedule and an
ones willing to accept a shorter-than-normal turnaround upper management mindset of not wanting to hear bad news
time quote. Often these same shops underbid the job, and (i.e., the brakes are failing test), a senior engineer who is not
then continually add extra costs as the work progresses. willing to have his computations challenged, and a project
The technician is encouraged to avoid employment at manager who states the brake will be qualified “no matter
maintenance facilities that do not think twice about trying what,” ultimately lead to a congressional oversight hearing
to deceive the customer. in 1969. Along the way, the brake system is tested (and fails
14 times), no one wants to write the required test report, low
Since companies are usually in business to make money, the level employees seek legal advice, and the aircraft suffers
“bottom line” mentality frequently drives management and, serious damage during landing while conducting initial
ultimately, technician decisions. But short-term, quick-fix flight testing due to unsatisfactory braking. (The reader is
solutions that focus only on immediate financial success encouraged to look up this now famous case on the Internet
promote the idea that everything boils down to monetary to obtain more details.)
gain. Ethical behavior is not about monetary gain.
Some of the ethical conflicts that are evident in this situation
In addition to monetary gain, there are other common ways are:
that unethical behavior is rationalized: • Young engineer (newly hired) feels intimidated by
• Pretending that the behavior is not unethical or illegal. senior level engineer.
• Excusing the behavior by saying it is really in the • Early brake failure during development testing is
organization’s (or the technician’s) best interest. excused away because “they are not representative
of the final design.”

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 • A company culture of intimidation and distrust. Finally, the technician is encouraged to read the following
code of ethics developed by Professional Aviation
Most of these conflicts could have easily occurred in the Maintenance Association (PAMA), Inc. and consider
maintenance realm if the specifics are broadened, even a little. adopting it as their own.
• Change the word “engineer” to “maintenance
technician.” “As a certified technician, my performance is a public service
and, as such, I have a responsibility to the United States
• Instead of brake failure during development testing, Government and its citizens. I must ensure that all citizens
think of component test failure (with the shop norm have confidence in my integrity, and that I will perform my
of “we don’t follow the manual on this step; we have work according to the highest principles of ethical conduct.
developed our own (unauthorized) procedure here.”) Therefore, I swear that I shall hold in sacred trust the rights
• The existence of a company culture of intimidation and privileges conferred upon me as a certified technician.
and distrust transcends all lines of business. The safety and lives of others are dependent on my skill and
judgment; therefore, I shall never knowingly subject others
For a company to nurture a healthy ethical climate and long- to risks which I would not be willing to assume for myself
term success, the element of trust is fundamental both inside or those who are dear to me.”
and outside the organization. This trust boosts employee
morale and usually boosts productivity and, therefore, “As a certified technician, I am aware that it is not possible
profitability. It also aids and enhances long-term business to have knowledge and skill in every aspect of aviation
relationships with customers and vendors. maintenance for every airplane, so I pledge that I will never
undertake work or approve work which I believe to be beyond
When differences of opinion do exist, ethical organizations the limits of my knowledge. I shall not allow any superior to
pay close attention to those who are dissenting. Those persuade me to approve aircraft or equipment as airworthy
companies that are committed to promoting an ethical climate when there is doubt in my mind as to the validity of my action.
encourage rather than punish dialogue and debate about Under no circumstances will I permit the offer of money or
policies and practices. other personal favors to influence me to act contrary to my
best judgment, nor to pass as airworthy aircraft or equipment
It is encouraging to note that more and more institutions of about which I am in doubt.”
learning, whether business schools or technical colleges, are
adding ethics courses into their required curriculum. More “The responsibility that I have accepted as a certified
and more organizations are developing a corporate “code of technician demands that I exercise my judgment on the
ethics.” Some are using the following seven-step checklist airworthiness of aircraft and equipment; therefore, I pledge
to help employees deal with an ethical decision: unyielding adherence to these precepts for the advancement
of aviation and for the dignity of my vocation.”
1. Recognize and clarify the dilemma.
2. Get all the possible facts.
3. List options—all of them.
4. Test each option by asking such questions as:
—Is it legal?
—Is it right?
—Is it beneficial?
5. Make your decision.
6. Double check your decision by asking:
—How would I feel if my family found out about this?
—How would I feel if my decision is printed in the
local newspaper?
7. Take action (Schermerhorn 1989).

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