In June of last year Michael Harkins, President of the First State Chapter of PAMA, sent a request to the FAA changing the IA renewal process from one year to every two years. The new regulation would read as follows:

º65.92 Inspection authorization: Duration.

(a) Each inspection authorization expires on March 31 of each uneven numbered year. However, the holder may exercise the privileges of that authorization only while he holds a currently effective mechanic certificate with both a currently effective airframe rating and a currently effective powerplant rating.

(b) An inspection authorization ceases to be effective whenever any of the following occurs:

(1) The authorization is surrendered, suspended, or revoked.

(2) The holder no longer has a fixed base of operation.

(3) The holder no longer has the equipment, facilities, and inspection data required by º65.91(c) (3) and (4) for issuance of his authorization.

(c) The holder of an inspection authorization that is suspended or revoked shall, upon the Administrator's request, return it to the Administrator.

º65.93 Inspection authorization: Renewal.

(a) To be eligible for renewal of an inspection authorization for a 2-year period an applicant must present evidence every two years, during the month of March, on uneven numbered years, at an FAA Flight Standards District Office or an International Field Office that the applicant still meets the requirements of º65.91(c) (1) through (4) and must show that, during the current period that the applicant held the inspection authorization, the applicant --

(1) Has performed at least one annual inspection for each 90 days that the applicant held the current authority; or

(2) Has performed inspections of at least two major repairs or major alterations for each 90 days that the applicant held the current authority; or

(3) Has performed or supervised and approved at least two progressive inspections in accordance with standards prescribed by the Administrator; or

(4) Has attended and successfully completed a refresher course or courses, acceptable to the Administrator, of not less than 16 hours of instruction during the 24-month period preceding the application for renewal; or

(5) Has passed on oral test by an FAA inspector to determine that the applicant's knowledge of applicable regulations and standards is current.

(b) The holder of an inspection authorization that has been in effect for less than 90 days before the expiration date need not comply with paragraphs (a) (1) through (5) of this section.