One question I have is how to get approved for maintenance and inspections on hot air balloons - holding maintenance certificates from two balloon manufacturers and a Part 66 theoretical exemption for Cat A, B1, B2 and B3, only have to build practice hours within a Part M organisation to receive my licence.
The answer from the NAA is that under current regulations there are no requirements to meet, that I should follow a training program within a current maintenance facility ... although there are in my country no facilities offering a training program because all staff got certified through grandfather rights. Is there another solution than starting a Part M myself?

Stefan FISCHER
Stefan FISCHER

Dear Brent, I would propose to contact one of the manufacturers to collect the required practice hours. I am assuming you are dutch, maybe Schroeder Fire Balloons would be willing to offer some kind of training.
My knowledge in maintenance licencing is limited and I am in contact with a colleague to check if we can give you some more advice.

Stefan FISCHER
Stefan FISCHER

Hi Brent, here the complete answer from our experts :-)
The rule does not leave the space to diverse interpretations; you need 2 years of experience (or 1 year with the limitations), maybe you can find an opportunity with one of the manufacturers or aeroclubs.
Some means of compliance:
AMC 66.A.30(a) Basic experience requirements
[…]
4. Maintenance experience on operating aircraft:
- Means the experience of being involved in maintenance tasks on aircraft which are being operated by airlines, air taxi organisations, aeroclubs, owners, etc as relevant to the licence category/subcategory;
- Should cover a wide range of tasks in length, complexity and variety;
- Aims at gaining sufficient experience in the real environment of maintenance as opposed to only the training school environment.
- May be gained within different types of maintenance organisations (Part-145, M.A. Subpart F, FAR-145, etc) or under the supervision of independent certifying staff;
- May be combined with Part-147 approved training (or other training approved by the competent authority) so that periods of training can be intermixed with periods of experience, similar to an apprenticeship.
- May be full-time or part-time, either as professional or on a voluntary basis.
- In the case of the L licence, it is acceptable that the one/two year experience required by 66.A.30(a)4 covers maintenance performed only during the weekends (or equivalent periods) as long as the applicant has achieved a sufficient level of competency related to the applicable licence subcategory as attested by the corresponding statement(s) issued by the maintenance organisation(s) or independent certifying staff who supervised the applicant.

NOTE: you have to pass also exams not covered by Cat A/B1/B2/B3, i.e. modules 9L, 10L and 11L.

Brent Van Sand
Brent Van Sand

Hi Stefan! Thank you. I am truly amazed by the speed you can answer to this matter. I have been asking these questions to the BCAA for over two years, and they can't even work up to any meaningful reply. Where can I find information on modules 9L, 10L and 11L or how can I get in contact with your expert? Credits obtained on modules 9A, 9B, 10 and 11C already.


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