EASA Module 16 cheat sheet

Part-66 establishes the aircraft maintenance licence (AML) categories: A (line maintenance limited tasks), B1 (mechanical), B2 (avionics), B3 (light non-pressurised aeroplanes below 2000 kg), and C (base maintenance certification for large aircraft), each with defined privileges.

Basic knowledge requirements in Part-66 Appendix I are grouped by module (e.g. Module 1 Mathematics, Module 7 Maintenance Practices, Module 11A Turbine Aeroplane Aerodynamics/Structures/Systems); the licence category determines which modules and levels (1, 2 or 3) apply.

Module level definitions: Level 1 = familiarisation with basic elements; Level 2 = general knowledge of theoretical and practical aspects plus ability to apply; Level 3 = detailed knowledge with capacity to combine and apply in practice; Level 3 is required for certifying tasks in the category.

Experience requirements (Part-66 Appendix III, typical): Category B1.1/B2 = 4 years practical maintenance experience (or 3 years with an approved Part-147 basic training course), A = 3 years (or 2 with Part-147), C = 5 years (3 as B1/B2 plus 2 years in a civil aircraft maintenance environment on a C-eligible organisation).

Part-147 approved basic training courses must cover the Part-66 Appendix I modules; graduates of a Part-147 course receive a certificate accepted in lieu of some experience and knowledge examination, but the Part-66 licence is still issued by the competent authority after application and assessment.

Part-145 approved maintenance organisations may perform maintenance and issue certificates of release to service (CRS); they must have a quality system, maintenance procedures, personnel with appropriate Part-66 licences (or equivalent), and a maintenance organisation exposition (MOE).

Part-M Subpart F (Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation, CAMO) manages continuing airworthiness; Subpart G is the CAMO approval; the aircraft maintenance programme (AMP) is approved by the competent authority or indirectly approved via the CAMO, and the airworthiness review certificate (ARC) is valid for one year.

Part-M Subpart C (Continuing Airworthiness) places responsibility on the owner/operator (or CAMO) for maintaining airworthiness, complying with the AMP, and ensuring defects are rectified; the aircraft must not be operated unless it is airworthy and the ARC is valid.

Part-66 licence validity: the licence is valid for 5 years from issue or last renewal; to keep it valid the holder must show recent maintenance experience (6 months in the preceding 2 years, or equivalent) or complete refresher/continuation training as accepted by the competent authority.

Certification rule: a CRS for maintenance carried out by a Part-145 organisation is issued by that organisation's certifying staff; for maintenance not covered by Part-145 (e.g. some light aircraft work), the Part-66 licence holder or Part-M Subpart F/G arrangement applies as specified.

Category A licence holders may issue a CRS for maintenance they have performed and for which they are competent, limited to tasks within their category privilege; they cannot certify base maintenance or complex tasks reserved for B1/B2/C.

Category C licence holders may certify base maintenance (scheduled maintenance) but only when supported by B1/B2 staff for the tasks; they do not replace B1/B2 certification of the actual work.

A Part-147 training organisation must be approved by the competent authority, have a training manual, qualified instructors, examination procedures, and a quality system; its certificate is recognised for Part-66 experience and knowledge credit.

The competent authority (e.g. EASA member state national aviation authority) issues Part-66 licences and Part-145/Part-M/Part-147 approvals; EASA itself issues Part-66 licences only in specific cases (e.g. for its own staff or where a member state delegates).

Continuing airworthiness decision: if a defect is found during maintenance, it must be recorded, assessed, and rectified before CRS is issued, unless deferred under an approved Minimum Equipment List (MEL) or configuration deviation list (CDL) where applicable.

Airworthiness review: the ARC is issued after an airworthiness review by a CAMO or the competent authority; it is valid for one year and must be renewed before expiry; the aircraft cannot be operated without a valid ARC.

Part-66 examination credit: knowledge examinations are valid for 5 years from the date of passing; if the licence is not issued within that period, the examination may need to be retaken or additional training completed as accepted by the competent authority.

Maintenance records must be kept for the periods specified in Part-M (e.g. at least 3 years for detailed maintenance records, and for the life of the aircraft for certain airworthiness-related records), and must be traceable to the aircraft and task.

The aircraft technical log (or equivalent) records defects, deferred items, and maintenance; it is part of the continuing airworthiness records and must be retained as required by Part-M.

Part-145 organisations must have a maintenance organisation exposition (MOE) describing the scope of work, procedures, personnel responsibilities, and quality system; the MOE is approved by the competent authority.

Part-147 training organisations must maintain training records for at least the period required by the competent authority (typically 5 years or more) and make them available for oversight.

The Part-66 licence is issued in a standard format (EASA Form 26) and includes the licence number, categories, ratings (type ratings for B1/B2), and limitations; type ratings are endorsed after meeting type-specific training and experience requirements.

Human factors and fuel tank safety (FTS) / EWIS training are mandatory elements for Part-145 and Part-66 personnel, with initial and recurrent training requirements specified in the regulations.

Part-M Subpart I covers airworthiness review certificates; the review includes a document check, a physical survey of the aircraft, and a review of the maintenance programme and records.

The maintenance programme (AMP) must be based on the MRB report or manufacturer's recommendations and approved by the competent authority; changes to the AMP require approval or indirect approval as defined in Part-M.

Part-145 certifying staff must hold a Part-66 licence (or equivalent accepted by the competent authority) with the appropriate category and type rating for the aircraft to be certified; they must also have recent experience on type.

Part-M Subpart F CAMO and Part-145 maintenance organisation may be the same legal entity but must have separate approvals and procedures; the CAMO manages continuing airworthiness, the Part-145 performs maintenance.

Part-147 instructors must have appropriate knowledge and experience; the training organisation must ensure instructors are competent and that examinations are conducted fairly and consistently.

The competent authority oversight includes audits, findings, and enforcement; findings must be corrected within agreed timescales, and repeated or serious findings can lead to suspension or revocation of approvals.

Part-66 licence holders must maintain their competence and comply with the licence conditions; failure to do so can result in suspension or revocation by the competent authority.

Part-145 organisations must have a quality manager independent of the maintenance function; the quality system must monitor compliance and ensure corrective actions are effective.

Part-M requires the operator/CAMO to establish a defect reporting and rectification system, including a reliability programme where applicable, to maintain continuing airworthiness.

Records of maintenance, repairs, and modifications must be retained and made available to the competent authority; the aircraft must not be operated if required records are missing or invalid.

Part-66 knowledge examination pass marks are typically 75% for each module (with some modules requiring higher or specific pass criteria as set by the competent authority); the examination must be conducted by an approved Part-147 organisation or competent authority.

The Part-66 licence application requires evidence of basic knowledge (examination certificates), practical experience (logbook), and, where applicable, type training; the competent authority assesses the application before issue.

Type ratings for B1/B2 are endorsed after completing type training (theoretical and practical) and demonstrating experience on type; the type rating is specific to the aircraft type and category.

A Part-145 organisation may issue a CRS only for maintenance it has performed or for which it has accepted responsibility; it cannot certify maintenance performed by another organisation without an appropriate arrangement.

Part-M Subpart G CAMO approval requires a continuing airworthiness management exposition (CAME), a quality system, and personnel with appropriate qualifications; the CAMO must have a nominated postholder for continuing airworthiness.

The airworthiness review certificate (ARC) is issued by the CAMO (if approved to do so) or the competent authority; the ARC is valid for one year and must be renewed before expiry, with a review of the aircraft's records and physical condition.

Part-66 licence holders must report to the competent authority any change in their circumstances that affects their licence (e.g. medical fitness, criminal convictions where required); failure to do so can affect licence validity.

Part-147 organisations must have a system for recording and tracking trainee progress, and must ensure that examinations are conducted under controlled conditions with appropriate security and integrity.

Part-66: defines the aircraft maintenance licence and its categories, knowledge and experience requirements, and the conditions for issue, validity, and renewal.

Part-M: defines the continuing airworthiness requirements for aircraft, including the responsibilities of the owner/operator, the maintenance programme, the CAMO, and the airworthiness review.

Part-145: defines the requirements for approved maintenance organisations, including the scope of work, facilities, personnel, procedures, quality system, and records.

Part-147: defines the requirements for approved maintenance training organisations, including the training programme, instructors, examinations, and quality system.

Continuing airworthiness: the set of processes by which an aircraft complies with the airworthiness requirements and is maintained in a condition for safe operation throughout its life.

Certificate of Release to Service (CRS): a certification that maintenance has been completed satisfactorily and the aircraft is airworthy for the intended flight, issued by authorised certifying staff or a Part-145 organisation.

Airworthiness Review Certificate (ARC): a certificate issued after an airworthiness review, valid for one year, confirming the aircraft's continuing airworthiness.

Maintenance Organisation Exposition (MOE): a document describing the Part-145 organisation's scope of work, procedures, and quality system, approved by the competent authority.

Scenario: A B1.1 licence holder is asked to certify a base maintenance check on a large aeroplane. Decision: B1.1 cannot certify base maintenance; a Category C licence holder (with B1/B2 support) or a Part-145 organisation must certify, depending on the arrangement.

Scenario: A Part-147 graduate applies for a Part-66 licence. Decision: the graduate's certificate provides credit for knowledge and some experience, but the licence is issued by the competent authority after assessment of the application and any remaining requirements.

Scenario: An aircraft's ARC expires in one month and the CAMO has not scheduled the review. Decision: the aircraft must not be operated after expiry; the CAMO must arrange the review before expiry or the aircraft is grounded until a new ARC is issued.

Scenario: A defect is found during a pre-flight check. Decision: the defect must be recorded and rectified before flight, unless it is deferred under the approved MEL/CDL; the CRS must reflect the deferred item and any operational limitations.

Scenario: A Part-145 organisation wants to subcontract maintenance to another organisation. Decision: the subcontractor must be approved (or accepted) and the Part-145 organisation remains responsible for the work; the arrangement must be documented and approved.

Scenario: A Part-66 licence holder has not worked on aircraft for 3 years. Decision: the licence may not be valid for certification; the holder must demonstrate recent experience or complete refresher training as accepted by the competent authority before exercising privileges.

Scenario: A Part-147 training organisation's instructor lacks recent experience. Decision: the organisation must ensure instructors are competent and current; otherwise the training may not be accepted for Part-66 credit.

Scenario: An operator changes the aircraft maintenance programme without approval. Decision: the change must be approved or indirectly approved as defined in Part-M; unapproved changes can invalidate the AMP and affect airworthiness.