September/October 2023 - 27

Tests are taken at specific testing centers.
Barron said most FSDO geographic
areas will have at least one testing center
in their area that provides the test.
The test questions come from a large
database that generates the questions at
random for each test.
Barron said typically, questions aren't
going to be basic mechanic questions.
Instead, the questions might involve
interpreting regulations, type certificate
data sheets, weight and balance, inspection
topics, etc.
Previously, Barron was an aviation
safety inspector at an FSDO. He said,
" what I always told applicants was, 'the
most important thing they need to know is
where to find the information and how to
interpret it.' Because when they go to test,
they get a big old binder, a 3-inch binder
full of all the different reference material.
" If they just have a general idea of where
information is contained, what regulation
applies to inspections, which one
applies to parts, those types of things,
where they can flip through that reference
material and find the answer. That's what
we expect of IAs, is for them to be able
to find and interpret data and information.
We don't expect them to have all
of it memorized. There's far too much. "
From start to finish, the entire process
goes quickly if a mechanic is ready to
take the test. Sometimes, Barron said, a
mechanic may want to utilize the 30 days
What we expect of IAs is for them to be able to
find and interpret data and information.
-Colby Barron, FAA
they have to study for the IA test, but in
his experience, most usually study before
they get signed off for the test.
" Most FSDOs, and their workloads, are
going to vary all over the country for the
different offices, but typically a FSDO can
get applicants in pretty quick for both the
sign-off and when they come back after a
pass to get them their card, " said Barron.
" The process of actually issuing it, once
they come back with the completed test
results, it's literally a matter of typing out
the information on the card and giving
it to them. "
IA Renewal
An IA is good for two years, or cycles,
which always start on April 1 of odd years.
" This year, 2023, April 1 was day one of
the IA cycle. It runs for 24 months from
there, so March 31 of 2025 will be the last
day of the two-year cycle, " said Barron.
In between cycles, there are requirements
that must be met to keep the IA.
Each year, IA holders have to do one of
five things: four annual inspections, eight
major repairs or alterations (a combination
of those two), one complete progressive
inspection, eight hours of training
approved for IA renewal, or an oral test
given by an aviation safety inspector at
an FSDO.
" They have to do that for each year, but
you only show the proof of it at the end of
the second, " he said.
Renewals are done by mail, email,
in person or The Integrated Airman
Certification and Rating Application
(IACRA). Barron said pilots have been
using IACRA for many years, but the FAA
fairly recently started getting mechanics
involved with it too.
" That's actually what we encourage
people to do. It's all online, everything,
every bit of it they do, they submit there.
The aviation safety inspectors review it
and approve or deny. Then a renewal letter
is issued straight out of the system, "
he said.
Barron said he always encourages
people to get an IA if it's something that
they're comfortable with.
" The more we have, the better. The
more qualified and capable and eager
mechanics, those that want to do better
and want to make more out of their
career, that's highly encouraging, " he
said.
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September/October 2023

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