The FAA has created a certification program called ‘Repairman-Light-Sport aircraft’, with two ratings, one for Inspection and the other is for Maintenance. The requirements for undergoing this course are very simple. You need to be a US citizen or a permanent legal resident, above 18 years of age. You should be able to read, write and speak English. You should be able to put in the number of hours prescribed for the certification as a prior requisite for obtaining the certification. You should also be able to assess the condition of the (Light Sport Aircraft) LSA for performing maintenance operations.
When you get through the maintenance Rating module, you will be in a position to carry out maintenance and inspection of LSAs. Maintenance requirements for all kinds of LSAs form part of the training. There are prescribed time schedules for each component of the training. You will have to undergo classroom instruction on the LSA for 120 hours, followed by 104 hours of Weight-shift control. Additionally, you will also under 104 hours on Powered Parachute, 80 hours on Lighter than Air and training on Glider for 80 hours. The total number of hours of training is around 712 hours. By doing this course, you will be in a position to maintain, repair and inspect LSAs on a commercial basis. The repairs and maintenance that you can carry out are laid down in the manufacturers’ manual for LSAs.
If you want to go through the Inspection rating module which allows you to conduct the annual inspection of the LSA, than you will require to undergo a further 16 hour training course on the inspection of the class of LSA you own or want to inspect. By undergoing this training course, you can conduct the annual condition inspection of your own Experimental LSA.
While anyone who has undergone the maintenance-rating course can perform maintenance operations on LSAs, it is imperative that they follow the instructions given in the manual brought out by the aircraft manufacturer. The tasks given in the instructions of the manufacturer must be followed to a T. This is to ensure airworthiness of the LSA.
Once a person has obtained the necessary qualifications for performing maintenance operations, he or she can also perform maintenance operations on other aircrafts. If major repairs are to be performed, the necessary qualification has to be obtained as prescribed by FAA. LSAs could also be maintained by mechanics and repair stations that are authorized to do so.