KCAA AMEL key terms

A KCAA-issued personnel licence that authorises the holder to certify maintenance work on aircraft within the ratings and limitations shown on the licence, after meeting training, experience and examination requirements.

The broad licence grouping that defines the scope of maintenance an AMEL holder may certify. A covers limited line tasks, B1 mechanical, B2 avionics, and C base maintenance management.

An endorsement on an AMEL that specifies the aircraft type, group, or specialised activity (such as welding or non-destructive testing) that the holder is authorised to certify.

A rating granted for a specific aircraft type, such as an engine model or airframe series, confirming the engineer has the type-specific knowledge and experience needed to certify work on it.

The set of written module examinations covering mathematics, physics, electrical fundamentals, materials, maintenance practices, aerodynamics and human factors that an applicant must pass before obtaining an AMEL.

A written examination organised by subject module, allowing candidates to sit and pass individual modules separately and accumulate credits toward the full basic knowledge requirement.

The minimum percentage score set by the licensing authority that a candidate must achieve in each examination module to be credited with a pass.

The process of resitting a failed module or examination, normally after a waiting period and sometimes requiring additional training or a limited number of attempts.

An approved facility where KCAA licensing examinations are conducted under invigilation, with controlled conditions and secure handling of question papers and candidate results.

Supervision of an examination by an approved person to prevent cheating, verify candidate identity, and ensure that the examination is conducted according to the authority's rules.

Any dishonest behaviour in an examination, such as impersonation, copying, using unauthorised materials or leaking questions, which can lead to cancellation of results and licence action.

The minimum period of practical aircraft maintenance work, documented and certified, that an applicant must complete before being eligible for an AMEL or a rating.

A candidate's recorded log of maintenance tasks and periods worked, signed off by a supervising licensed engineer, used as evidence of qualifying experience for licensing.

Structured practical training performed on live aircraft under supervision, used to build the type-specific experience needed for a type rating or first licence issue.

An approved theoretical and practical course on a specific aircraft type, covering systems, procedures and maintenance tasks, required before a type rating can be endorsed.

A person holding a valid licence or authorisation who signs a maintenance release or certificate of release to service, confirming that work has been properly completed.

A person appointed by KCAA to conduct licensing examinations, skills assessments or oral checks on its behalf, acting under written authorisation and oversight.

The formal written appointment that defines what a designated examiner may assess, the standards to apply, and the duration and conditions of the appointment.

The authority's continuing monitoring of designated examiners through audits, standardisation checks, review of results and handling of complaints to maintain consistent examination standards.

A periodic gathering of examiners where assessment standards, question interpretation and grading decisions are aligned so that candidates are treated consistently across centres.

A situation where an examiner's personal, financial or professional relationship with a candidate could bias the assessment, which must be declared and avoided.

A temporary withdrawal of licence privileges by the authority, for example pending investigation or as a sanction, during which the holder may not certify maintenance.

The permanent cancellation of a licence or rating by the authority, usually for serious or repeated violations, after which the person must reapply to regain privileges.

The condition in which an aircraft, its components and equipment conform to an approved design and are in a state safe for flight, maintained through inspections and approved maintenance.

A document issued by the State of Registry confirming that an individual aircraft meets the applicable airworthiness requirements and is fit to operate under specified conditions.

The set of processes and tasks, including inspections, maintenance, repairs and record-keeping, that keep an aircraft in an airworthy condition throughout its service life.

A mandatory instruction issued by the authority to correct an unsafe condition, which must be complied with within the stated time and recorded in the aircraft's records.

A manufacturer's advisory document recommending inspections, modifications or part replacements; it becomes mandatory only when adopted by an airworthiness directive or the operator's maintenance programme.

The approved schedule of maintenance tasks, intervals and procedures that an operator must follow to keep its aircraft airworthy, tailored to the type and operation.

An organisation approved by the authority to perform specified maintenance activities under controlled procedures, facilities, personnel and quality systems.

A signed statement, issued after maintenance, certifying that the work was completed in accordance with approved data and that the aircraft or component is fit for release to service.

Technical information approved or accepted by the authority, such as maintenance manuals, service bulletins, engineering orders or repair schemes, that must be used when performing and certifying maintenance.

A change to an aircraft, component or system from its original design, which must be approved and recorded and can affect airworthiness and continued validity of the certificate of airworthiness.

The documented organisational structure, procedures and controls an approved maintenance organisation uses to ensure maintenance and certification meet the required standards.

The documented history of maintenance, inspections, repairs and component changes for an aircraft or part, which must be retained and made available to the authority.

A periodic assessment of an aircraft's records and physical condition to confirm that continuing airworthiness requirements are met and that the certificate of airworthiness remains valid.

The study of how human capabilities and limitations, such as fatigue, workload and communication, affect maintenance performance and safety, forming part of the licensing syllabus.

A formal, organisation-wide framework for identifying hazards, assessing and mitigating risk, and continuously improving safety performance in maintenance and flight operations.