Sofema Online (SOL) reviews the key elements of EASA Part 66 Licence Requirements and Appendices.

Part-66 defines the aircraft maintenance licence and establishes the requirements for application, issue, and continuation of its validity. An aircraft maintenance licence permits its holder to issue certificates of release to service (CRS) following maintenance work. The privileges of the license holder are prescribed by Regulation (EU) No 1321/2014 and Annex III (Part-66) thereto.

Licence Categories and Subcategories

Aircraft maintenance licences include the following categories and, where applicable, subcategories and system ratings:

• Category A: Line maintenance certifying mechanic.

>>A1: Aeroplanes Turbine

>>A2: Aeroplanes Piston

>>A3: Helicopters Turbine

>>A4: Helicopters Piston

• Category B1: Maintenance certifying technician — mechanical.

>>B1.1: Aeroplanes Turbine

>>B1.2: Aeroplanes Piston

>>B1.3: Helicopters Turbine

>>B1.4: Helicopters Piston

• Category B2: Maintenance certifying technician — avionics. Applicable to all aircraft.

• Category B2L: Maintenance certifying technician — avionics (limited). Applicable to all aircraft other than those in Group 1.

• Category B3: Maintenance certifying technician — piston-engine non-pressurised aeroplanes of 2,000 kg MTOM and below.

• Category L: Certifying support staff for sailplanes, balloons, airships, and ELA1 aeroplanes.

>>L1C: Composite sailplanes

>>L1: Sailplanes

>>L2C: Composite powered sailplanes and composite ELA1 aeroplanes

>>L2: Powered sailplanes and ELA1 aeroplanes

>>L3H: Hot-air balloons

>>L3G: Gas balloons

>>L4H: Hot-air airships

>>L4G: ELA2 gas airships

>>L5: Gas airships other than ELA2

• Category C: Base maintenance certifying engineer. Applicable to aeroplanes and helicopters.

Key Contents

• Privileges: The privileges of the licence holder are defined in 66.A.20. For example, a category A licence permits the holder to issue certificates of release to service following minor scheduled line maintenance and simple defect rectification. A category B1 licence permits 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.

• Basic Knowledge Requirements: Applicants must demonstrate a level of knowledge in appropriate subject modules (e.g., mathematics, physics, electrical fundamentals).

• Experience Requirements: Applicants must have acquired a specific amount of practical maintenance experience on operating aircraft, ranging from 1 to 5 years depending on the category and previous training.

• Type Ratings: To exercise certification privileges on a specific aircraft type, the holder of an aircraft maintenance licence needs to have their licence endorsed with the relevant aircraft ratings. This often requires satisfactory completion of relevant aircraft type training (theoretical and practical) and on-the-job training (OJT).

• Continuing Validity: The aircraft maintenance licence becomes invalid 5 years after its last issue or change unless the holder submits it to the competent authority for verification.

• Personnel Requirements: Maintenance organisations must have sufficient certifying staff to issue certificates of release to service for aircraft and components.

 

Key Contents (Chapters/Subparts):

• Section A - Technical Requirements:

>>Subpart A - Aircraft Maintenance Licence: Covers scope (66.A.1), categories (66.A.3), groups (66.A.5), application (66.A.10), eligibility (66.A.15), privileges (66.A.20), basic knowledge (66.A.25), experience (66.A.30), continued validity (66.A.40), ratings (66.A.45), limitations (66.A.50), evidence of qualification (66.A.55), conversion (66.A.70).

• Section B - Procedures for Competent Authorities:

>>Subpart A - General: Scope, means of compliance, competent authority, record-keeping, mutual exchange, exemptions.

>>Subpart B - Issue of an Aircraft Maintenance Licence: Procedures for initial issue (66.B.100, 66.B.105), change (66.B.110, 66.B.115), renewal (66.B.120), conversion (66.B.125), direct approval of type training (66.B.130).

>>Subpart C - Examinations: Examination standard and security (66.B.200).

>>Subpart D - Conversion of Certifying Staff Qualifications: General principles (66.B.300), reports for national qualifications (66.B.305) and maintenance organisations (66.B.310).

>>Subpart E - Examination Credits: General principles (66.B.400), report (66.B.405), validity (66.B.410).

>>Subpart F - Continuing Oversight: Revocation, suspension, limitation (66.B.500).

• Appendices:

>>I: Basic Knowledge Requirements (non-L).

>>II: Basic Examination Standard (non-L).

>>III: Aircraft Type Training and Examination Standard.

>>IV: Experience and knowledge for extending a licence.

>>V: Application Form (EASA Form 19).

>>VI: Aircraft Maintenance Licence (EASA Form 26).

>>VII: Basic Knowledge Requirements (Category L).

>>VIII: Basic Examination Standard (Category L).

>>IX: Assessment for multimedia-based training.

Next Steps

Sofema Aviation Services and Sofema Online provide webinar, classroom and online training in EASA Part 147 and Part 66 Regulations and Vocational Training. Please see the websites or email team@sassofia.com.