Introduction of Aeronautical Maintenance Training
Site: | Aeronautical Maintenance Training EASA Part-66 |
Course: | Aeronautical Maintenance Training EASA Part-66 |
Book: | Introduction of Aeronautical Maintenance Training |
Printed by: | |
Date: | Friday, 14 February 2025, 1:59 AM |
Description
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1. Mandatory aircraft maintenance checks
The manufacturers (Boeing and Airbus, and others) impose on the companies regular mandatory technical visits, called A, B, C and D, corresponding to a given number of flight hours or an estimated life of a given aircraft. These aircraft maintenance visits are carried out according to a schedule determined by the manufacturers.
The A check occurs approximately every month or every 500 flight hours. It is usually carried out in one night at an airport facility.
The B check occurs approximately every 3 months. The inspection is usually performed overnight at an airport facility1. All systems, such as emergency equipment and navigation units, are examined.
The C check is performed approximately every 12-18 months or according to a specific number of actual flight hours defined by the manufacturer. This visit lasts one week. As the aircraft is taken out of service, a lot of space is needed, most often a maintenance hangar. The entire structure of the aircraft is examined with a fine-tooth comb.
The D check is also known as the "overhaul check" or "heavy maintenance check ". It is performed approximately every 4-5 years. It requires more time and space than the other types and must be performed in a maintenance hangar. It lasts at least 2 weeks, sometimes up to 2 or 3 months depending on the type of aircraft, its age and the number of flight hours. The companies generally take advantage of this time to install the latest improvements made by the manufacturers. The aircraft is then grounded for a long period, during which all its components are inspected and repaired if necessary.
2. EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) Regulations
The visits described above require personnel trained in the different tasks and at the appropriate technical level for each of these tasks.
This is described in the Regulation (EC) N° 1321/2014) of 26 November 2014, amending Regulation (EC) N° 2042/2003) of 20 November 2003 on the continuing airworthiness of aircraft and aeronautical products, parts and appliances and on the approval of organisations and personnel involved in these tasks:
- Continuing airworthiness: Annex I - Part M
- Maintenance organisation approval: Annex II – Part 145
- Certifying staff: Annex III – Part 66
- Training Organisation approval - certifying staff: Annex IV - Part 147
3. Part-147 Organisations
Only those training organisations can deliver AML (Aircraft Maintenance Licence), which are described in EASA Annex 4 Part-147 “Maintenance Training Organization Approvals”.
Part-147 describes the requirements to be met by organisations seeking approval to conduct training and examinations.
Part-147 directives are dealing with the following requirements :
- Personnel,
- Instructional equipment and courses, Facilities,
- Training procedures and quality system,
- Examinations.
4. Part-66 Aircraft Maintenance Licences
Certifying Staff authorised in accordance with Part-66 will be eligible to hold certification authorisation in one or more of the following categories :
- Cat A (Line Maintenance Certifying Mechanic);
- Cat B1 (Maintenance Certifying Technician - Mechanical);
- Cat B2 (Maintenance Certifying Technician - Avionics);
- Cat B3 (Maintenance Certifying Technician – Light Aeroplane).
4.1. The various Licences Part-66
Category A licenses allow only simple tasks, such as changing a wheel for the mechanical part, or changing a bulb for the electrical part.
Category A personnel generally work on airliners at airports.
Category B licenses are intended to train mechanics who perform maintenance in PART-145 approved maintenance centers. These personnel may be used for routine maintenance, inspection or in supervisory roles.
Certifying Staff authorised in accordance with Part-66 will be eligible to hold certification authorisation in one or more of the following categories:
-
Cat A (Line Maintenance Certifying Mechanic):
A aircraft maintenance license permits the holder to issue certificates of release to service following minor scheduled line maintenance and simple defect rectification within the limits of tasks specifically endorsed on the PART-145 regulations.
Cat A licenses includes the following subcategories:- A1: Turbine aeroplane;
- A2: Piston aeroplane;
- A3: Turbine helicopter;
- A4: Piston helicopter.
-
Cat B1 (Maintenance Certifying Technician - Mechanical):
B1 aircraft maintenance license shall permit the holder to issue certificates of release to service and to act as B1 support staff following:
- maintenance performed on aircraft structure, powerplant and mechanical and electrical systems,
- work on avionic systems requiring only simple tests to prove their serviceability and not requiring troubleshooting.
Cat B1 licenses includes the following subcategories:
- B1.1: Turbine aeroplane;
- B1.2: Piston aeroplane;
- B1.3: Turbine helicopter;
- B1.4: Piston helicopter.
Category B1 includes the corresponding A subcategory.
-
Cat B2 (Maintenance Certifying Technician - Avionics):
- communication/navigation (com/nav),
- instruments,
- autoflight,
- surveillance,
- airframe systems.
-
Cat B3 (Maintenance Certifying Technician – Light Aeroplane):
B3 license is applicable to piston-engine non-pressurised aeroplanes of 2 000 kg Maximum Take-off Mass (MTOM) and below.
Category B2 concerns all other categories
4.2. Basic Part-66 Training Hours Volume
Typical training hours volume for people without ANY experience:
- A, B1, B2 licences must be validated within maximum 5 years of training.
- All modules must be validated in order to obtain licence.
- Sequencing and contents of modules depends on category (A, B1, B2) and/or aircraft (aeroplane/helicopter, turbine/piston engine).