Engineer experience requirements

Applicants should demonstrate their breadth and depth of experience of aircraft systems & sub-systems when submitting licence applications. Tasks should be representative of the aircraft and systems both in complexity and in the technical input required to complete that task. While relatively simple tasks may be included, other more complex maintenance tasks should be incorporated and undertaken as appropriate to the aircraft type.

Where there is commonality between the trades/existing licence scope, focus should be directed to the B1 element(s). Ensure all the related content is enclosed with the supporting work records and is written in a manner that gives the reader a clear understanding of the task and the work that was performed.

Logbooks must be in the style of the CAA CAP 741: Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Log Book with tasks segregated by system (ATA chapter) and for a basic licence application, presented collated by ATA system rather than by airframe and engine combination.

A simple title with an AMM reference fails to fully identify the work that was performed in most instances, additional information such as challenges faced, troubleshooting steps undertaken and any specialist tools used gives better credit to the experience gained. Therefore multiple boxes in the CAP741 can be used for each entry.

Simple functional checks, operational tests or inspection checks alone are insufficient for a B licence.

Sufficient experience, appropriate to the category, of work in areas including:

• Electrical - aircraft electrical power supply source, plus the distribution system to the different components contained in the aircraft and relevant connectors.
• Continuity, insulation and bonding techniques and testing.
  Crimping and testing of crimped joints.
• Connective devices typically connector pin removal and insertion.
  Wiring protection techniques.
• CDCCL, AWL, EWIS tasks as applicable to aircraft type(s) on which experience was gained.
• Coding/re-coding/calibration.
• Wiring changes/upgrades.
• Modification/STC embodiment/changes.
• Use of avionic test equipment.
• Metal structure/skin damage assessment and repair.
• Composite structure/skin damage assessment and repair.
• Troubleshooting and fault diagnosis in the chapters applicable to the licence.
• Avionic systems as applicable to the licence, typically chapters such as ATA 22, 24 and 34.
• B2 applicants providing experience of ground handling a line maintenance servicing as required by 66.A.20(a)3(ii).

Typical categories of tasks would include the following:

• Functional Checks
• Operational Checks
• Component replacement
• Troubleshooting
• Defect rectification
• Scheduled & Unscheduled maintenance checks
• Minor repairs & modifications
• Servicing
• Releasing the aircraft for service

Further information can be found in AMC 66.A.30(a) Basic experience requirements

The Task Supervisor may be any one of the following:

a) An appropriately qualified Part-147 training instructor authorised by the organisation under the terms of its approval to conduct practical training.

b) An appropriately qualified licensed aircraft maintenance engineer employed by a Part-145 maintenance organisation and authorised for the aircraft type for which the experience is being sought.

c) An appropriately qualified licensed aircraft maintenance engineer employed by a Part-CAO maintenance organisation and authorised for the aircraft type for which the experience is being sought.

d) A person authorised for the purpose by the UK Civil Aviation Authority. For this purpose the CAA would include a person holding an authorisation to supervise and certifying the maintenance task being completed within an organisation completing maintenance on behalf of the military. However, please note 66.A.30(e).

The task supervisor shall confirm the required entries by appending their name, signature and licence number in the appropriate column. 

Persons signing logbook entries are attesting that the logbook owner was actively engaged in the completion of the maintenance task completed. Periodically the CAA does validate logbook entries and will look for evidence that the logbook owner was involved and that the signatory signed for the completion of the maintenance recorded. 

The length of experience is detailed in 66.A.30 Basic experience requirements

There is not currently a recognised course that is considered relevant by the CAA to fulfil the skilled worker requirement, therefore this time reduction is not available.

Please note the following regarding your experience;

• Must contain sufficient detailed experience as required by 66.A.30(a) without extended gaps in experience.
• Sufficient evidence of detailed experience as required by 66.A.30(b) for addition of a category or subcategory for a licence.
• Experience shall be practical and involve a representative cross section of maintenance tasks on aircraft 66.A.30(c).
• Applicants should demonstrate their breadth and depth of experience of the aircraft systems & sub systems when submitting licence applications. Tasks should be representative of the aircraft and systems both in complexity and in the technical input required to complete that task. While relatively simple tasks may be included, other more complex maintenance tasks should be incorporated and undertaken as appropriate to the aircraft type. See GM 66.A.20(a)(1), AMC 66.A.20(b)(2)(2) , AMC 66.A.30(a)(4) & Appendix II list of tasks.
• Evidence of recent experience as required by 66.A.30(d). This is 1 year for the most applications
• Ex-military candidates shall demonstrate experience in civil aircraft maintenance environment AMC 66.A.30(e).
• Experience shall be acquired within 10 years preceding the application (66.A.30(f)). Older evidence may be taken into consideration.