GCAA CAR-66 Category A Exam study plan

GCAA CAR-66 Category A Exam · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 7 hours per week

Week 1

Aircraft Aerodynamics, Structures and Systems & Maintenance Practices

Map the 11 domain into its sub-areas (aerodynamics, structures, hydraulic/pneumatic, electrical power, fuel, ice and rain, landing gear, flight controls, air conditioning and pressurisation) and list the systems you must know
Explain in writing how a basic hydraulic system generates, controls, and distributes pressure, naming the reservoir, pump, relief valve, selector valve, and actuator
Describe the purpose and operation of the main structural components of a stressed-skin wing and fuselage
Identify the safety precautions and documentation required before starting a scheduled maintenance task

A one-page systems map of domain 11 with every sub-area listed and a 10-line written explanation of the hydraulic system

Week 2

Describe the operation of aircraft electrical power generation and distribution, including DC generators, alternators, and bus bar arrangements
Explain the function of the fuel system components from tank to engine, including vents, pumps, and shut-off valves
Relate basic aerodynamics terms (lift, drag, angle of attack, stall) to the behaviour of the aircraft in flight
Sketch the four forces acting on an aircraft in straight and level flight and annotate how each changes in a climb

A labelled diagram of the aircraft electrical distribution system plus a written comparison of the four forces in level flight and climb

Week 3

List and explain the purpose of the standard maintenance documentation set (maintenance manual, IPC, SRM, wiring diagrams, service bulletins)
Demonstrate correct use of torque values and the meaning of a torque wrench calibration record
Identify the common aircraft hardware items (bolts, nuts, washers, rivets, pins) and state one inspection criterion for each
Describe the correct procedure for a lockwire and split-pin installation and the checks made after fitting

A hardware identification sheet covering at least 12 items with one inspection criterion each, plus a written lockwire procedure

Week 4

Explain the purpose and structure of the maintenance organisation exposition and the role of the certifying staff
Describe the difference between scheduled and unscheduled maintenance and how a defect is recorded and released
Outline the process for raising and closing a maintenance task card, including independent inspection where required
State the documentation that must accompany an aircraft returning to service after maintenance

A flow diagram from defect discovery through rectification to return to service, with the documents named at each step

Week 5

Explain the role of the national aviation authority and the place of CAR-66 within the licensing framework
Describe the privileges and limitations of a Category A licence and the conditions under which certification may be made
Identify the human factors that contribute to maintenance error (fatigue, complacency, pressure, distraction, lack of communication) and give one mitigation for each
Explain the purpose of a shift handover and the information that must be passed on

A written summary of Category A licence privileges and a human-factors table of six error types with mitigations

Week 6

Apply Ohm's law and power formulae to calculate current, voltage, resistance, and power in series and parallel circuits
Describe the construction and operation of a transformer and state the relationship between turns ratio and voltage
Explain the function of a diode, transistor, and capacitor in a basic aircraft circuit
Identify the symbols used on an aircraft wiring diagram for at least 10 common components

A worked problem set of 10 circuit calculations with answers and a symbol identification sheet of 10 components

Week 7

Describe the difference between analogue and digital signals and give one aircraft system example of each
Explain the basic architecture of a digital data bus and the advantage of a bus over point-to-point wiring
Identify the common aircraft structural materials (aluminium alloys, composites, titanium, steel) and one characteristic of each
Describe the types of corrosion likely to be found on an aircraft and the inspection method used to detect each

A materials and corrosion table covering at least 5 materials and 4 corrosion types with detection methods

Week 8

Solve arithmetic and algebraic problems involving fractions, percentages, ratios, and simple equations as used in maintenance calculations
Apply units and conversions relevant to aircraft maintenance (pressure, torque, length, mass)
Explain basic physics principles of force, mass, acceleration, work, power, and energy with one aviation example each
Complete a full timed revision pass across all 11 domains and record the areas of weakest recall

A completed timed mock covering all domains with a written list of the three weakest areas and a revision action for each

Week 2: Can explain the hydraulic and electrical power systems from memory without notes

Week 4: Can trace a defect from discovery to return to service and name every document involved

Week 6: Scores at least 70% on a self-made set of 20 electrical fundamentals questions

Week 8: Completes a full timed mock across all domains and has a written revision plan for the weakest three areas