The CAA website and UK Regulation (EU) No 1321/2014 Annex III (Part 66) provides significant guidance on the regulation, application methods and documentary evidence required. Unfortunately, some scenarios are unique and will require bespoke advice. Following a thorough review of guidance and regulation, should a question remain, please email the following address.
Engineer licence queries should be submitted to eldweb@caa.co.uk. Queries not related to engineer licencing will not be responded to as not relevant to the specialism of this team.
The use of regulation and guidance should be your first option to answer your question, as email responses may direct you back to published information if the answer is already available online.
In any email, please include as much detail as possible in the initial submission, a simple question like “modules required to upgrade my A licence to add a B sub-category”, whilst clear to the licence holder would be impossible to answer without the detail, A1, A2, A3 or A4 adding what B1.1, B1.2, B1.3 or B1.4. Read back your question from a 3rd parties’ perspective. Additionally, this question is answered within the regulation, so this should be the first point to review.
Include your CAA Licence or Ref number if you have one. This simple step makes processing much quicker and more accurate.
UK Continuing Airworthiness Regulation
UK Regulation (EU) No 1321/2014 is broken down into the following Annexes. Section A of each Annex relates to the requirements for the applicant.
- Annex I
- Annex II (Part-145)
- Annex III (Part-66)
- Annex IV (Part-147)
- Annex V Repealed Regulation with list of its successive amendments
- Annex Va PART-T
- Annex Vb (Part-ML)
- Annex Vc (Part-CAMO)
- Annex Vd (Part-CAO)
A full copy of the latest UK regulation can be found on the Continuing Airworthiness Regulation page of our regulatory library site.
Licence Privileges
The different categories of licence are explained on the 66.A.20 Privileges page of our regulations library site.
B1.2 licence (i.e “aeroplane piston”), exercising privileges on a piston-engine non-pressurised aeroplanes of 2000 kg MTOM and below (i.e. category B3)
A B1.2 licence endorsed with the individual type rating or full Group 3 rating is equivalent to a B3 licence. (GM 66.A.5)
Recency requirement to maintain a Part 66 licence.
The validity of the Part-66 licence is not affected by recent experience. The requirement of 6 months’ experience within the preceding 2 years ensures that privileges are exercised by certifying staff with sufficient recent experience.
If you do not meet the experience requirement anymore, you lose your rights to exercise your privileges of certifying staff or support staff. The licence itself is valid 5 years from the last renewal. Only the certification privileges are affected by the “recency” of experience.
To regain your experience, you may either continue to accumulate maintenance experience until you gain the missing time required or meet the provisions for the issue of appropriate privileges.
Within an approved maintenance organisation this may be:
- 6 months of continuous employment within the same organisation; or
- 6 months split up into different blocks, employed within the same or in different organisations.
Further information can be found in AMC to 66.A.20(b)2 and CAP2377
The above is the regulatory requirement, approved organisations may be more restrictive in the application and training requirement. Refer to your Compliance Monitoring Manager.
Category A certifying authorisations (AMC 145.A.30(g))
The list of typical tasks to be carried out by a category A certifying staff at the line shown in the AMC include a (r) stating: “Any other task agreed by the CAA as a simple task for a particular aircraft type. This may include defect deferment…” (AMC 145.A.30(g).
When these conditions are met, the CAA may allow other tasks to be carried out under AMC 145.A.30(g).
Certification of Annex II aircraft with a B1.2 with a full group 3 type rating
Annex II aircraft (non-Part 21) is different and remains under the ANO & BCAR regulatory structure. Licence conversion to a BCAR licence is available and requires an oral examination with the UK CAA and submission of supporting work records.
For further information submit your requirement to ELDWEB@caa.co.uk and include you current UK Part 66 licence number.
Gaining a CAA Part-66 Licence (Category B1 or B2)
To get a CAA Part-66 AML (Aircraft Maintenance Licence), an applicant needs:
- Basic knowledge (66.A.25).
- Basic experience (66.A.30).
To get an aircraft type rating (TR) endorsed in the AML, an applicant needs:
- Type Training (Theoretical and Practical) (66.A.45)
- On-the-job Training (OJT) for the first (TR) (66.A.45).
It’s important to understand what Group the aircraft you will be working with are for licencing requirements. Aircraft groups are described in 66.A.5.
Part-66 licences issued by the countries other than the UK are not mutually recognised in the UK system. An AML issued by a country other than the UK cannot be rendered valid as UK Part-66 AML. You must apply for the UK Part-66 AML using the normal process and demonstrate the knowledge and experience.
UK Part-66 licence application
The initial application for a Part-66 aircraft maintenance licence shall be made to the UK CAA using the online application form Apply for UK Part-66
This Form should be submitted together with evidence of compliance with the requirements.
See 66.A.10, 66.A.15, 66.A.25, 66.A.30, 66.A.45 and 66.A.70 and related AMC/GM. UK Regulation Part 66
Make an amendment to a UK part 66 licence
An application for amendment of a Part-66 aircraft maintenance licence (AML) shall be made to the UK CAA website.
The application shall be submitted together with evidence of compliance with the requirements.
See 66.A.10, 66.A.15, 66.A.25, 66.A.30, 66.A.40, 66.A.45, 66.A.50, and 66.A.70 and related AMC/GM.
In all instances you must return your original Part 66 licence at time of application
See 66.A.10(c), 66.A.10(f), and AMC 66.B.110
Apply for a UK Part 66 Aircraft Maintenance Licence | Civil Aviation Authority (caa.co.uk)
Academic route to apply for a UK Part 66 licence following a university degree, or studying aeronautics
Only qualifications that have be accredited by the UK CAA are acceptable. Check with your educational facility or training provider that such an approval is held and confirmed in writing.
Approval may not be obtained & applied retrospectively.
Exam module validity period
UK Regulation (EU) No. 1321/2014 (amending Regulation (EC) No 2042/2003) states, the basic examinations shall be passed, and experience shall be acquired within the ten years preceding the application for an aircraft basic licence.
For further information including exam credits please the engineer exams page. Aircraft maintenance licence examinations
For information regarding the validity of examinations passed with a EU or EASA 147 please see here. Engineer licensing requirements after 1 January 2023