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By following this guide, you will register technician credentials in PlaneConnection, verify certificate types and numbers, record digital attestations for maintenance releases, track IA authorization expiration dates, and maintain an auditable record of who signed off on each maintenance action.
Who should read this: Directors of maintenance, quality assurance managers, and HR/training managers responsible for maintaining records of technician qualifications and ensuring only authorized persons approve aircraft for return to service.Required permission: maintenance_ops — read to view, update to register and verify technician credentials.Regulatory basis: 14 CFR 43.3 defines persons authorized to perform maintenance, preventive maintenance, rebuilding, and alteration. 14 CFR 43.7 defines persons authorized to approve aircraft, airframes, aircraft engines, propellers, appliances, or component parts for return to service. 14 CFR 43.9(a)(4) requires each maintenance record entry to include the signature, certificate number, and kind of certificate held by the person approving the work.

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Certificate Types

PlaneConnection tracks four categories of FAA maintenance certificates:
TypeFull NameAuthority
APAirframe & PowerplantMay perform and approve maintenance work
IAInspection AuthorizationMay approve major repairs, alterations, and annual inspections
RepairmanRepairman CertificateMay perform maintenance as specified on the certificate
DMEDesignated Mechanic ExaminerMay administer A&P practical tests
IA authorizations must be renewed annually per 14 CFR 65.93. PlaneConnection tracks the expiration date and alerts when an IA authorization is approaching renewal.

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The Technician Attestations List

Navigate to Maintenance > Technician Attestations to see all registered technicians. The list shows:
ColumnDescription
Technician NameFull name of the certificate holder
Certificate TypeAP, IA, Repairman, or DME
Certificate NumberFAA-issued certificate number
VerifiedWhether the certificate has been independently verified
Verified AtDate of last verification
Expires AtExpiration date (IA authorizations only)

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Register a Technician

1
Open the registration form
2
From Technician Attestations, click Add Technician.
3
Enter certificate details
4
  • Technician Name — Full legal name as it appears on the certificate
  • Certificate Type — Select AP, IA, Repairman, or DME
  • Certificate Number — FAA certificate number
    • 5
    Set expiration (IA only)
    6
    For IA authorizations, enter the Expires At date. The system monitors this date and sends alerts when the authorization is within 60 days of expiration.
    7
    Save the record
    8
    Click Save. The technician appears in the attestations list with a “Not Verified” badge until independent verification is completed.

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    Verify a Certificate

    Certificate verification confirms the validity of a technician’s credentials:
    1. Open the technician detail page
    2. Click Verify Certificate
    3. The system records the verification date and generates an attestation hash
    4. The verified badge changes to green with the verification timestamp
    Verify certificates against FAA records when a technician first joins your organization and periodically thereafter. For IA holders, re-verify at each annual renewal. Verification records support your organization’s quality system and satisfy 14 CFR 145.157 personnel requirements if operating as a repair station.

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    Digital Attestations on Work Orders

    When a technician signs a work order return-to-service release, the system creates a digital attestation that links:
    • The technician’s verified certificate record
    • The specific work order being released
    • A timestamp and digital signature hash
    • An entry in the record integrity hash chain
    This creates an immutable, tamper-evident record that the aircraft was approved for return to service by an authorized person per 14 CFR 43.7.

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    Track IA Expiration

    IA authorizations that are within 60 days of expiration show an amber warning badge. Expired IA authorizations show a red badge and the technician can no longer be selected for actions that require IA authority (annual inspections, major repair/alteration approvals) until the authorization is renewed and the new expiration date is updated.
    Work approved by a technician whose IA authorization has expired may not satisfy the requirements of 14 CFR 43.7. Always verify the current status of IA authorizations before assigning annual inspections or major repair/alteration approvals.

    Manage Work Orders

    Return-to-service releases require technician attestations.

    Part Passports

    Lifecycle events on parts link to the performing technician.

    Record Integrity

    Attestation hashes are anchored in the record integrity chain.

    Compliance Dashboard

    Monitor technician certificate and IA expiration status.
    Last modified on April 5, 2026