Empowering Global Certifying Staff – A Conversation with Steven Bentley FRAeS on Sofema’s EASA Part 66 Module 9 & 10 Online Training
Third Country EASA Part 145 organisations face an obligation to ensure their certifying staff demonstrate compliance with EASA Part 66 Module 9 (Human Factors) and Module 10 (Air Legislation).
To meet this demand, Sofema Online (SOL) has developed a comprehensive, fully online training solution specifically tailored to the needs of Base, Line, and Component Maintenance Organisations outside the EASA Member States.
We sat down with Steven Bentley, FRAeS, CEO of Sofema Aviation Services (SAS) and Sofema Online (SOL), to explore the value, structure, and regulatory alignment of this industry-leading solution.
What was the main driver behind Sofema’s decision to offer online training for EASA Part 66 Module 9 and 10?
S. Bentley: Our goal is always to simplify regulatory compliance while maintaining full integrity with EASA’s expectations. With growing demand from Foreign Part 145 organisations for certifying staff to be trained in Modules 9 and 10, it became essential to offer an accessible, cost-effective, and compliant solution. Our online program replicates the full scope of our classroom equivalent - over 1,500 slides across both modules, representing 8 days of instruction.
How does Sofema ensure regulatory alignment with EASA requirements for these courses?
S. Bentley: We align our content directly with EASA’s Part 66 Module 9 & Module 10, as well as ensuring compliance with the User Guides UG.CAO.00121-004 and UG.CAO.00126-003. Furthermore, we recommend that all completions are validated under the oversight of the 145 organisation's Compliance Manager. This ensures the training is properly embedded into the organisation’s competence management system and satisfies EASA audit expectations.
Is the content truly equivalent to in-class training?
S. Bentley: Absolutely. Module 9 consists of approximately. 550 detailed slides - matching a 3-day course. Module 10 has over 1,000 slides, which is comparable to a 5-day course. Together, they are structured for thorough self-paced study, supplemented with video explainers and a final exam to confirm knowledge retention.
Who is the target audience for this training?
S. Bentley: The training is designed specifically for certifying staff in Third Country 145 organisations working on aircraft, engines, APU, and components. It also supports organisations applying for EASA Part 145 approval. Quality and training managers are encouraged to review the material through our FOC Guest Enrollment scheme to assess suitability.
How can organisations demonstrate compliance to EASA inspectors using this training?
S. Bentley: We provide complete Course Learning Objectives (CLOs), which can be shared with auditors and authorities to demonstrate the scope and intent of the training. This supports competence mapping and fulfils the regulatory need to show control over the competence management process.
What makes Sofema’s approach different from other providers?
S. Bentley: Some providers offer “compressed” courses - often just a few hours long — which fail to satisfy audit scrutiny. We deliberately go the other way: complete coverage, deep structure, and high-quality delivery. EASA oversight teams will immediately see the difference in training depth and documentation.
What additional support is available for corporate clients?
S. Bentley: We offer numerous schemes, including the Corporate Freedom Pass (CFP), enabling multiple concurrent enrollments; Enrol Now, Pay Later options; and our Privileged Training Partner (PTP) program offering discounted rates. These programs are tailored to ensure organisations meet compliance efficiently and affordably.
How does Sofema support the compliance/quality assurance process for training validation?
S. Bentley: We offer documented guidance, including a best-practice checklist and recommendations to invigilate the final exam under QA supervision. Our CLOs and course review process ensure organisations can maintain proper training records and meet both internal and external audit expectations.
What are the practical outcomes of Module 9 and 10 training for certifying staff?
S. Bentley: For professionals operating in regulated maintenance environments, Module 9 (Human Factors) equips certifying staff with a robust and structured understanding of the key behavioural and cognitive elements that influence safety performance. It delves into the systemic causes of human error and enhances the delegate’s capacity to identify, assess, and mitigate operational risks within complex maintenance tasks.
Module 10 (Aviation Legislation) provides in-depth exposure to the European regulatory framework, enabling certifying staff to navigate and apply the requirements of Part 66, Part 145, Part M, Part 21, and related domains with precision. This foundational regulatory knowledge directly supports organisational compliance and promotes more effective, informed decision-making in both day-to-day operations and long-term airworthiness management strategies.
Finally, what message would you give to maintenance organisations still using outdated or insufficient training solutions?
S. Bentley: The cost of non-compliance - both in audit exposure and safety performance - far outweighs the investment in proper training. Sofema’s Module 9 and 10 package offers unbeatable value at €320 (a saving of €180 off the standard price). It’s the wise choice for any organisation taking EASA oversight seriously.
