Public Comment Open on ATEC’s Early FAA Testing Petition

The FAA has opened the public comment period on ATEC’s petition to allow eligible Choose Aerospace students to take the FAA Aviation Mechanic General written knowledge test.

ATEC filed the petition last month to create an early testing opportunity for students who complete the Choose Aerospace Aviation Maintenance Curriculum, receive an instructor endorsement, and pass the proctored ATEC General Aviation Maintenance Credential exam.

Currently, completing the Choose Aerospace curriculum at a school without a part 147 certificate does not, by itself, make students eligible to take the General knowledge test. If approved, the exemption would allow eligible students to demonstrate their foundational knowledge while it is fresh and complete an FAA testing milestone as they continue on pathways toward A&P schools, employment, and apprenticeships.

For participating programs, the proposed pathway could also provide a federally recognized measure of student achievement and help demonstrate program value to families, administrators, funding agencies, and industry partners. Passing results could support consideration of transfer credit, credit for prior learning, or advanced placement at FAA-certificated A&P schools, where offered.

Choose Aerospace programs, partners, and other aviation education stakeholders are encouraged to submit comments in support of the petition. A draft comment template is available to make submitting comments easier. The template is drafted for high school programs but can be revised as needed to reflect your organization, students, partnerships, and workforce needs. ATEC also has draft comment templates for industry and part 147 program support, available here. 

To submit:

1. Customize the template. Remove bracketed instructions and any examples that don’t apply.
2. Open the FAA comment form for docket FAA-2026-9274.
3. Upload or paste your comment. You can submit a letter on school letterhead as an attachment, or copy the body of your letter and paste it directly into the comment form. 
4. Complete the required fields, review, and submit by September 23, 2026.