66.A.1 Scope

Regulation (EU) No 1321/2014

This section defines the aircraft maintenance licence and establishes the requirements for application, issue and continuation of its validity.

66.A.3 Licence categories and subcategories

Regulation (EU) 2018/1142

Aircraft maintenance licences include the following categories and, where applicable, subcategories and system ratings:

(a) Category A, divided into the following subcategories:

               A1 Aeroplanes Turbine;

               A2 Aeroplanes Piston;

               A3 Helicopters Turbine;

               A4 Helicopters Piston.

(b) Category B1, divided into the following subcategories:

               B1.1 Aeroplanes Turbine;

               B1.2 Aeroplanes Piston;

               B1.3 Helicopters Turbine;

               B1.4 Helicopters Piston.

(c) Category B2

The B2 licence is applicable to all aircraft.

(d) Category B2L

The B2L licence is applicable to all aircraft other than those in Group 1 as set out in Point 66.A.5(1) and is divided into the following ‘system ratings’:

               communication/navigation (com/nav),

               instruments,

               autoflight,

               surveillance,

               airframe systems.

A B2L licence shall contain, as a minimum, one system rating.

(e) Category B3

The B3 licence is applicable to piston-engine non-pressurised aeroplanes of 2 000 kg Maximum Take-off Mass (MTOM) and below.

(f) Category L, divided into the following subcategories:

               L1C: composite sailplanes,

               L1: sailplanes,

               L2C: composite powered sailplanes and composite ELA1 aeroplanes,

               L2: powered sailplanes and ELA1 aeroplanes,

               L3H: hot-air balloons,

               L3G: gas balloons,

               L4H: hot-air airships,

               L4G: ELA2 gas airships,

               L5: gas airships other than ELA2.

(g) Category C

The C licence is applicable to aeroplanes and helicopters.

GM 66.A.3 Licence categories

ED Decision 2019/009/R

‘ELA1 aeroplanes’ refers to those aeroplanes which meet the definition of ‘ELA1 aircraft’ that is contained in Article 2(k) of Regulation (EU) No 1321/2014.

‘ELA2 gas airships’ refers to those gas airships which meet the definition of ‘ELA2 aircraft’ that is contained in Article 2(ka) of Regulation (EU) No 1321/2014.

‘Gas airships other than ELA2’ refers to those gas airships which do not meet at least one condition of the definition of ‘ELA2 aircraft’ that is contained in Article 2(ka) of Regulation (EU) No 1321/2014.

NOTE: The ‘ELA2 aircraft’ category includes all ‘ELA1 aircraft’.

The term ‘powered sailplane’ includes:

               those powered sailplanes which may take off solely by means of their own power (self-launching sailplanes); and

               self-sustaining powered sailplanes; and

               touring motor gliders (TMGs).

While the L1C subcategory only includes composite sailplanes, the L1 subcategory includes all sailplanes (composite, metal and wood).

While the L2C subcategory only includes composite powered sailplanes and composite ELA1 aeroplanes, the L2 subcategory includes all powered sailplanes and ELA1 aeroplanes (composite, metal and wood).

In the case of maintenance of mixed balloons (combination of gas and hot air), it is required to hold both L3G and L3H subcategories.

For the B2L licence, a ‘system rating’ is a rating which gives privileges to release maintenance on the aircraft systems covered by the ‘system rating’ and electrical systems.

The sentence ‘shall contain, as a minimum, one system rating’ refers to the fact that the application for a B2L licence should be made for any of the system ratings or any combination of the system ratings specified in 66.A.3.

There is no specific order in which the system ratings should be applied for. Any combination of system ratings is possible.

The description of systems covered by the different system ratings is provided in Appendix I ‘Basic Knowledge Requirements’ under paragraph ‘2. Modularisation’, subparagraph related to ‘Categories B2 and B2L’.

66.A.5 Aircraft groups

Regulation (EU) 2018/1142

For the purpose of ratings on aircraft maintenance licences, aircraft shall be classified into the following groups:

(1)  Group 1: complex motor-powered aircraft, helicopters with multiple engines, aeroplanes with maximum certified operating altitude exceeding FL290, aircraft equipped with fly-by-wire systems, gas airships other than ELA2 and other aircraft requiring an aircraft type rating when defined as such by the Agency.

The Agency may decide to classify into Group 2, Group 3 or Group 4, as appropriate, an aircraft which meets the conditions set out in the first subparagraph, if it considers that the lower complexity of the particular aircraft justifies so.

(2)  Group 2: aircraft other than those in Group 1 belonging to the following subgroups:

(i)  subgroup 2a:

               single turboprop engine aeroplanes,

               those turbojet and multiple-turboprop aeroplanes classified by the Agency in this subgroup because of their lower complexity.

(ii)  subgroup 2b:

               single turbine engine helicopters,

               those multiple turbine engine helicopters classified by the Agency in this subgroup because of their lower complexity.

(iii)  subgroup 2c:

               single piston engine helicopters,

               those multiple piston engine helicopters classified by the Agency in this subgroup because of their lower complexity.

(3)  Group 3: piston engine aeroplanes other than those in Group 1.

(4)  Group 4: sailplanes, powered sailplanes, balloons and airships, other than those in Group 1.

GM 66.A.5 Aircraft groups

ED Decision 2020/002/R

The following table summarises the applicability of categories/subcategories of Part-66 licences versus the groups/subgroups of aircraft:

66.A.10 Application

Regulation (EU) No 1321/2014

(a) An application for an aircraft maintenance licence or change to such licence shall be made on an EASA Form 19 (see Appendix V) in a manner established by the competent authority and submitted thereto.

(b) An application for the change to an aircraft maintenance licence shall be made to the competent authority of the Member State that issued the aircraft maintenance licence.

(c) In addition to the documents required in points 66.A.10(a), 66.A.10(b) and 66.B.105, as appropriate, the applicant for additional basic categories or subcategories to an aircraft maintenance licence shall submit his/her current original aircraft maintenance licence to the competent authority together with the EASA Form 19.

(d) Where the applicant for change of the basic categories qualifies for such change via the procedure referred to in point 66.B.100 in a Member State other than the Member State which issued the license, the application shall be sent to the competent authority referred to in point 66.1.

(e) Where the applicant for change of the basic categories qualifies for such change via the procedure referred to in point 66.B.105 in a Member State other than the Member State which issued the license, the maintenance organisation approved in accordance with Annex II (Part-145) shall send the aircraft maintenance licence together with the EASA Form 19 to the competent authority referred to in point 66.1 for stamp and signature of the change or reissue of the licence, as appropriate.

(f) Each application shall be supported by documentation to demonstrate compliance with the applicable theoretical knowledge, practical training and experience requirements at the time of application.

AMC 66.A.10 Application

ED Decision 2015/029/R

1. Maintenance experience should be written up in a manner that the reader has a reasonable understanding of where, when and what maintenance constitutes the experience. A task by task account is not necessary but at the same time a bland statement ‘X years maintenance experience completed’ is not acceptable. A log book of maintenance experience is desirable and some competent authorities may require such log book to be kept. It is acceptable to cross refer in the EASA Form 19 to other documents containing information on maintenance.

2. Applicants claiming the maximum reduction in 66.A.30(a) total experience based upon having successfully completed 147.A.200 approved basic training should include the Part-147 certificate of recognition for approved basic training.

3. Applicants claiming reduction in 66.A.30(a) total experience based upon having successfully completed technical training in an organisation or institute recognised by the competent authority as a competent organisation or institute, should include the relevant certificate of successful completion of training.

GM 66.A.10(a) Application

ED Decision 2020/002/R

When an application is made for a licence in the B2L category, the applicant should specify on the EASA Form 19:

               the system rating or the combination of system ratings the applicant applies for; and

               the aircraft rating,

considering that according to 66.A.45(e), a B2L licence endorsed with full subgroup 2b can be endorsed also with full subgroup 2c.

When applying for the addition of a system rating on a B2L licence, the applicant should provide together with the application, the demonstration of compliance with the experience requirements related to the system the applicant applies for.

When a B2L licence holder applies for the extension of a B2L licence to add a new system rating, he/she needs to demonstrate the practical experience required by 66.A.30(a)(2a) for the system rating but also the practical experience required by 66.A.45(e) and (f) in case the aircraft group is different.

When a B2L licence holder applies for the change of his/her B2L licence to the B2 category, he/she needs only to:

               demonstrate by examination the differences between the basic knowledge corresponding to the B2L licence held and the basic knowledge of the B2 licence, as described in Appendix I; and

               demonstrate the additional experience described in Appendix IV.

These requirements can be found also for the competent authority in 66.B.110.

When an applicant applies for the extension of his/her B2L licence to a B2 licence and he/she meets the relevant requirements, the B2L licence is replaced by the B2 licence.

66.A.15 Eligibility

Regulation (EU) No 1321/2014

An applicant for an aircraft maintenance licence shall be at least 18 years of age.

66.A.20 Privileges

Regulation (EU) 2021/700

(a) The following privileges shall apply:

1. A category A aircraft maintenance licence permits the holder to issue certificates of release to service following minor scheduled line maintenance and simple defect rectification within the limits of tasks specifically endorsed on the certification authorisation referred to in point 145.A.35 of Annex II (Part-145). The certification privileges shall be restricted to work that the licence holder has personally performed in the maintenance organisation that issued the certification authorisation.

2. A category B1 aircraft maintenance licence shall permit the holder to issue certificates of release to service and to act as B1 support staff following:

               maintenance performed on aircraft structure, powerplant and mechanical and electrical systems,

               work on avionic systems requiring only simple tests to prove their serviceability and not requiring troubleshooting.

Category B1 includes the corresponding A subcategory.

3. A category B2 aircraft maintenance licence shall permit the holder:

(i) to issue certificates of release to service and to act as B2 support staff for following:

               maintenance performed on avionic and electrical systems, and

               electrical and avionics tasks within powerplant and mechanical systems, requiring only simple tests to prove their serviceability; and

(ii) to issue certificates of release to service following minor scheduled line maintenance and simple defect rectification within the limits of tasks specifically endorsed on the certification authorisation referred to in point 145.A.35 of Annex II (Part-145). This certification privilege shall be restricted to work that the licence holder has personally performed in the maintenance organisation which issued the certification authorisation and limited to the ratings already endorsed in the B2 licence.

The category B2 licence does not include any A subcategory.

4. A category B2L aircraft maintenance licence shall permit the holder to issue certificates of release to service and to act as B2L support staff for the following:

               maintenance performed on electrical systems;

               maintenance performed on avionics systems within the limits of the system ratings specifically endorsed on the licence, and

               when holding the ‘airframe system’ rating, performance of electrical and avionics tasks within power plant and mechanical systems, requiring only simple tests to prove their serviceability.

5.  A category B3 aircraft maintenance licence shall permit the holder to issue certificates of release to service and to act as B3 support staff for the following:

               maintenance performed on aeroplane structure, power plant and mechanical and electrical systems; and

               work on avionics systems requiring only simple tests to prove their serviceability and not requiring troubleshooting.

6.  A category L aircraft maintenance licence shall permit the holder to issue certificates of release to service and to act as L support staff for the following:

               maintenance performed on aircraft structure, power plant and mechanical and electrical systems;

               work on radio, Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELT) and transponder systems; and

               work on other avionics systems requiring simple tests to prove their serviceability.

Subcategory L2 includes subcategory L1. Any limitation to subcategory L2 in accordance with point 66.A.45(h) becomes also applicable to subcategory L1.

Subcategory L2C includes subcategory L1C.

7.  A category C aircraft maintenance licence shall permit the holder to issue certificates of release to service following base maintenance of the aircraft. The privileges apply to the aircraft in its entirety.

(b) The holder of an aircraft maintenance licence may not exercise its privileges unless:

1. in compliance with the applicable requirements of Annex I (Part-M), Annex II (Part-145), Annex Vb (Part-ML) and Annex Vd (Part-CAO); and

2. in the preceding 2-year period he/she has, either had 6 months of maintenance experience in accordance with the privileges granted by the aircraft maintenance licence or, met the provision for the issue of the appropriate privileges; and

3. he/she has the adequate competence to certify maintenance on the corresponding aircraft; and

4. he/she is able to read, write and communicate to an understandable level in the language(s) in which the technical documentation and procedures necessary to support the issue of the certificate of release to service are written.

GM 66.A.20(a) Privileges

ED Decision 2022/011/R

1. The following definitions apply:

Electrical system means the aircraft electrical power supply source, plus the distribution system to the different components contained in the aircraft and relevant connectors. Lighting systems are also included in this definition. When working on cables and connectors which are part of these electrical systems, the following typical practices are included in the privileges:

               Continuity, insulation and bonding techniques and testing;

               Crimping and testing of crimped joints;

               Connector pin removal and insertion;

               Wiring protection techniques.

Avionics system means an aircraft system that transfers, processes, displays or stores analogue or digital data using data lines, data buses, coaxial cables, wireless or other data transmission medium, and includes the system’s components and connectors. Examples of avionics systems include the following:

               Autoflight;

               Communication, Radar and Navigation;

               Instruments (see NOTE below);

               In Flight Entertainment Systems;

               Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA);

               On-Board Maintenance Systems;

               Information Systems;

               Fly by Wire Systems (related to ATA27 ‘Flight Controls’);

               Fibre Optic Control Systems.

NOTE: Instruments are formally included within the privileges of the B2 and B2L with system rating ‘instruments’. However, maintenance on electromechanical and pitot-static components may also be released by a B1, B3 or L licence holder.

Simple test means a test described in approved maintenance data and meeting all the following criteria:

               The serviceability of the system can be verified using aircraft controls, switches, Built-in Test Equipment (BITE), Central Maintenance Computer (CMC) or external test equipment not involving special training.

               The outcome of the test is a unique go – no go indication or parameter, which can be a single value or a value within an interval tolerance. No interpretation of the test result or interdependence of different values is allowed.

               The test does not involve more than 10 actions as described in the approved maintenance data (not including those required to configure the aircraft prior to the test, i.e. jacking, flaps down, etc, or to return the aircraft to its initial configuration). Pushing a control, switch or button, and reading the corresponding outcome may be considered as a single step even if the maintenance data shows them separated.

Troubleshooting means the procedures and actions necessary, using approved maintenance data, in order to identify the root cause of a defect or malfunction. It may include the use of BITE or external test equipment.

Line maintenance: refer to AMC1 145.A.10

Base maintenance: refer to AMC1 145.A.10

2. The category B3 licence does not include any A subcategory. Nevertheless, this does not prevent the B3 licence holder from releasing maintenance tasks typical of the A1.2 subcategory for piston-engine non-pressurized aeroplanes of 2 000 kg MTOM and below, within the limitations contained in the B3 licence.

3. The B1.2 and B3 licences do not include any L subcategory. Nevertheless, the holder of a B1.2 or B3 licence with the appropriate ratings is entitled to receive, upon application, licences in the L1 and L2 subcategories under the conditions described in point 66.B.110(d).

4. The privileges of the B2 licence with given aircraft ratings include the privileges of the B2L licence for all the system ratings for the same aircraft ratings. Nevertheless, the holder of a B2 licence with given aircraft ratings may apply for a B2L licence in order to include a different aircraft rating if the applicant only wants to demonstrate compliance with the experience requirements for certain system ratings.

5. The category C licence permits certification of scheduled base maintenance by the issue of a single certificate of release to service for the complete aircraft after the completion of all such maintenance. The basis for this certification is that the maintenance has been carried out by competent mechanics, and category B1, B2, B2L, B3 and L support staff, as appropriate, have signed for the maintenance tasks under their respective specialisation. The principal function of the category C certifying staff is to ensure that all required maintenance has been called up and signed off by the category B1, B2, B2L, B3 and L support staff, as appropriate, before issue of the certificate of release to service. Only category C personnel who also hold category B1, B2, B2L, B3 or L qualifications may perform both roles in base maintenance.

AMC 66.A.20(a)(4) Privileges

ED Decision 2019/009/R

‘Within the limits of the system ratings specifically endorsed on the licence’ refers to the fact that the privileges of the licence holder are limited:

               to the group/subgroup of aircraft endorsed on the licence, but also

               to the system rating(s) endorsed.

When an applicant wishes to get the privilege to issue certificates of release to service and to act as support staff for electrical and avionics tasks within powerplant and mechanical systems, he/she should apply for the rating ‘airframe system’ on the B2L licence. The reason is that the ‘airframe systems’ rating is the only rating which covers completely the electrical and avionics tasks of the powerplant and mechanical systems of the aircraft.

AMC 66.A.20(b)(2) Privileges

ED Decision 2020/002/R

The 6 months of maintenance experience in the preceding 2-year period should be understood as consisting of two elements, duration and nature of the experience. The minimum to meet the requirements for these elements may vary depending on the size and complexity of the aircraft and type of operation and maintenance.

1. Duration:

Within an approved maintenance organisation:

               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.

The 6-month period can be replaced by 100 days of maintenance experience in accordance with the privileges, whether they have been performed within an approved organisation or as independent certifying staff according to M.A.801(b)1, or as a combination thereof.

When a licence holder maintains and releases aircraft in accordance with M.A.801(b)1, in certain circumstances this number of days may even be reduced by 50% when agreed in advance by the competent authority. These circumstances consider the cases where the licence holder happens to be the owner of an aircraft and carries out maintenance on his/her own aircraft, or where a licence holder maintains an aircraft operated for low utilisation, that does not allow the licence holder to accumulate the required experience. This reduction should not be combined with the 20% reduction permitted when carrying out technical support, or maintenance planning, continuing airworthiness management or engineering activities. To avoid a too long period without experience, the working days should be spread over the intended 6-month period.

2. Nature of the experience:

Depending on the category of the aircraft maintenance licence, the following activities are considered relevant for maintenance experience:

               Servicing;

               Inspection;

               Operational and functional testing;

               Trouble-shooting;

               Repairing;

               Modifying;

               Changing component;

               Supervising these activities;

               Releasing aircraft to service.

For category A licence holders, the experience should include exercising the privileges, by means of performing tasks related to the authorization on at least one aircraft type for each licence subcategory. This means tasks as mentioned in AMC 145.A.30(g), including servicing, component changes and simple defect rectifications.

For category B1, B2, B2L, B3 and L, for every aircraft included in the authorisation the experience should be on that particular aircraft or on a similar aircraft within the same licence (sub)category. Two aircraft can be considered to be similar when they have similar technology, construction and comparable systems, which means equally equipped with the following (as applicable to the licence category):

               Propulsion systems (piston, turboprop, turbofan, turboshaft, jet-engine or push propellers); and

               Flight control systems (only mechanical controls, hydro-mechanically powered controls or electro-mechanically powered controls); and

               Avionic systems (analogue systems or digital systems); and

               Structure (manufactured of metal, composite or wood).

For licences endorsed with (sub)group ratings:

               In the case of a B1 licence endorsed with (sub)group ratings (either manufacturer sub-group or full (sub)group) as defined in 66.A.45, the holder should show experience on at least one aircraft type per (sub)group and per aircraft structure (metal, composite, wood).

               In the case of a B2 or B2L licence endorsed with (sub)group ratings (either manufacturer subgroup or full (sub)group) as defined in 66.A.45, the holder should show experience on at least one aircraft type per (sub)group.

               In the case of a B3 licence endorsed with the rating ‘piston-engine non-pressurised aeroplanes of 2000 kg MTOM and below’ as defined in 66.A.45, the holder should show experience on at least one aircraft type per aircraft structure (metal, metal-tubing with fabric, composite, wooden).

For category C, the experience should cover at least one of the aircraft types endorsed on the licence.

For a combination of categories, the experience should include some activities of the nature shown in paragraph 2 in each category.

A maximum of 20% of the experience duration required may be replaced by the following relevant activities on an aircraft type of similar technology, construction and with comparable systems:

               Aircraft maintenance related training as an instructor/assessor or as a student;

               Maintenance technical support/engineering;

               Maintenance management/planning.

The experience should be documented in an individual log book or in any other recording system (which may be an automated one) containing the following data:

               Date;

               Aircraft type;

               Aircraft identification i.e. registration;

               ATA chapter (optional);

               Operation performed e.g. 100 FH check, MLG wheel change, engine oil check and complement, SB embodiment, trouble shooting, structural repair, STC embodiment, etc.;

               In the particular case of Part-145 organisations, the type of maintenance i.e. base, line;

               Type of activity i.e. perform, supervise, release;

               Subcategory used (A1, A2, A3, A4, B1.1, B1.2, B1.3, B1.4, B2, B2L, B3, C or L1, L1C, L2, L2C, L3G, L3H, L4G, L4H, L5);

               Duration in days or partial-days.

GM 66.A.20(b)2 Privileges

ED Decision 2015/029/R

The sentence ‘met the provision for the issue of the appropriate privileges’ included in 66.A.20(b)2 means that during the previous 2 years the person has met all the requirements for the endorsement of the corresponding aircraft rating (for example, in the case of aircraft in Group 1, theoretical plus practical element plus, if applicable, on-the-job training). This supersedes the need for 6 months of experience for the first 2 years. However, the requirement of 6 months of experience in the preceding 2 years will need to be met after the second year.

AMC 66.A.20(b)3 Privileges

ED Decision 2015/029/R

The wording ‘has the adequate competence to certify maintenance on the corresponding aircraft’ means that the licence holder and, if applicable, the organisation where he/she is contracted/employed, should ensure that he/she has acquired the appropriate knowledge, skills, attitude and experience to release the aircraft being maintained. This is essential because some systems and technology present in the particular aircraft being maintained may not have been covered by the training/examination/experience required to obtain the licence and ratings.

This is typically the case, among others, in the following situations:

               Type ratings which have been endorsed on a licence in accordance with Appendix I to AMC to Part-66 ‘List of Type Ratings’ after attending type training/on-the-job training which did not cover all the models/variants included in such rating. For example, a licence endorsed with the rating Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 (CFM56) after attending type training/on-the-job training covering only the Airbus 320 (CFM56).

               Type ratings which have been endorsed on a licence in accordance with Appendix I to AMC to Part-66 ‘List of Type Ratings’ after a new variant has been added to the rating in Appendix I, without performing difference training. For example, a licence endorsed with the rating Boeing 737-600/700/800/900 for a person who already had the rating Boeing 737-600/700/800, without performing any difference training for the 737-900.

               Work being carried out on a model/variant for which the technical design and maintenance techniques have significantly evolved from the original model used in the type training/on-the-job training.

               Specific technology and options selected by each customer which may not have been covered by the type training/on-the-job training.

               Changes in the basic knowledge requirements of Appendix I to Part-66 not requiring re-examination of existing licence holders (grandfathered privileges).

               The endorsement of group/subgroup ratings based on experience on a representative number of tasks/aircraft or based on type training/examination on a representative number of aircraft.

               Persons meeting the requirements of 6 months of experience every 2 years only on certain similar aircraft types as allowed by AMC 66.A.20(b)2.

               Persons holding a Part-66 licence with limitations, obtained through conversion of national qualifications (66.A.70), where such limitations are going to be lifted after performing the corresponding basic knowledge examinations. In this case, the type ratings endorsed in the licence may have been obtained in the national system without covering all the aircraft systems (because of the previous limitations) and there will be a need to assess and, if applicable, to train this person on the missing systems.

Additional information is provided in AMC 145.A.35(a).

GM 66.A.20(b)4 Privileges

ED Decision 2015/029/R

1. Holders of a Part-66 aircraft maintenance licence may not exercise certification privileges unless they have a general knowledge of the language used within the maintenance environment including knowledge of common aeronautical terms in the language. The level of knowledge should be such that the licence holder is able to:

               read and understand the instructions and technical manuals used for the performance of maintenance;

               make written technical entries and any maintenance documentation entries, which can be understood by those with whom they are normally required to communicate;

               read and understand the maintenance organisation procedures;

               communicate at such a level as to prevent any misunderstanding when exercising certification privileges.

2. In all cases, the level of understanding should be compatible with the level of certification privileges exercised.

66.A.25 Basic knowledge requirements

Regulation (EU) 2021/700

(a) For licences other than category L, an applicant for an aircraft maintenance licence, or for the addition of a category or subcategory to such a licence, shall demonstrate by examination a level of knowledge of the appropriate subject modules in accordance with Appendix I to Annex III (Part-66). The examination shall comply with the standard set out in Appendix II to Annex III (Part-66) and shall be conducted either by a training organisation appropriately approved in accordance with Annex IV (Part-147), or by the competent authority.

(b) An applicant for an aircraft maintenance licence in category L within a given subcategory, or for the addition of a different subcategory, shall demonstrate by examination a level of knowledge of the appropriate subject modules in accordance with Appendix VII to Annex III (Part-66). The examination shall comply with the standard set out in Appendix VIII to Annex III (Part-66) and shall be conducted by a training organisation appropriately approved in accordance with Annex IV (Part-147), by the competent authority or as agreed by the competent authority.

The holder of an aircraft maintenance licence in subcategory B1.2 or category B3 is deemed to meet the basic knowledge requirements for a licence in subcategories L1C, L1, L2C and L2.

The basic knowledge requirements for subcategory L4H include the basic knowledge requirements for subcategory L3H.

The basic knowledge requirements for subcategory L4G include the basic knowledge requirements for subcategory L3G.

(c) An applicant for an aircraft maintenance licence in category B2L for a particular ‘system rating’, or for the addition of another ‘system rating’, shall demonstrate by examination a level of knowledge of the appropriate subject modules in accordance with Appendix I to Annex III (Part-66). The examination shall comply with the standard set out in Appendix II to Annex III (Part-66) and shall be conducted either by a training organisation appropriately approved in accordance with Annex IV (Part-147), or by the competent authority.

(d) The training courses and examinations shall have been passed within 10 years prior to the application for an aircraft maintenance licence or the addition of a category or subcategory to such a licence. Should this not be the case, examination credits may be obtained in accordance with point (e).

(e) The applicant may apply to the competent authority for full or partial examination credits for the basic knowledge requirements for:

(i) basic knowledge examinations that do not meet the requirement laid down in point (d);

(ii) any other technical qualification considered by the competent authority to be equivalent to the knowledge standard of Annex III (Part-66).

Credits shall be granted in accordance with Subpart E of Section B of this Annex (Part-66).

(f) Credits expire 10 years after they were granted to the applicant by the competent authority. The applicant may apply for new credits after expiration.

AMC 66.A.25 Basic knowledge requirements

ED Decision 2015/029/R

1. For an applicant being a person qualified by holding an academic degree in an aeronautical, mechanical or electronic discipline from a recognised university or other higher educational institute the need for any examination will depend upon the course taken in relation to Appendix I to Part-66.

2. Knowledge gained and examinations passed during previous experiences, for example, in military aviation and civilian apprenticeships will be credited where the competent authority is satisfied that such knowledge and examinations are equivalent to that required by Appendix I to Part-66.

GM 66.A.25(a) Basic knowledge requirements

ED Decision 2020/002/R

The levels of knowledge for each licence (sub)category are directly related to the complexity of the certifications related to the corresponding licence (sub)category, which means that category A should demonstrate a limited but adequate level of knowledge, whereas category B1, B2, B2L and B3 should demonstrate a complete level of knowledge in the appropriate subject modules.

GM 66.A.25(b) Basic knowledge requirements

ED Decision 2019/009/R

‘Or as agreed by the competent authority’ refers to the examination that is conducted by an organisation under a formal agreement (and oversight) of the competent authority.

66.A.30 Basic experience requirements

Regulation (EU) 2018/1142

(a) An applicant for an aircraft maintenance licence shall have acquired:

1. for category A, subcategories B1.2 and B1.4 and category B3:

(i) 3 years of practical maintenance experience on operating aircraft, if the applicant has no previous relevant technical training; or

(ii) 2 years of practical maintenance experience on operating aircraft and completion of training considered relevant by the competent authority as a skilled worker, in a technical trade; or

(iii) 1 year of practical maintenance experience on operating aircraft and completion of a basic training course approved in accordance with Annex IV (Part-147);

2. for category B2 and subcategories B1.1 and B1.3:

(i) 5 years of practical maintenance experience on operating aircraft if the applicant has no previous relevant technical training; or

(ii) 3 years of practical maintenance experience on operating aircraft and completion of training considered relevant by the competent authority as a skilled worker, in a technical trade; or

(iii) 2 years of practical maintenance experience on operating aircraft and completion of a basic training course approved in accordance with Annex IV (Part-147);

2a. for category B2L:

(i) 3 years of practical maintenance experience in operating aircraft, covering the corresponding system rating(s), if the applicant has no previous relevant technical training; or

(ii) 2 years of practical maintenance experience in operating aircraft, covering the corresponding system rating(s), and completion of training, considered relevant by the competent authority, as a skilled worker in a technical trade; or

(iii) 1 year of practical maintenance experience in operating aircraft, covering the corresponding system rating(s), and completion of a Part-147 approved basic training course. For the addition of (a) new system rating(s) to an existing B2L licence, 3 months of practical maintenance experience relevant to the new system rating(s) shall be required for each system rating added.

2b. for category L:

(i)  2 years of practical maintenance experience in operating aircraft covering a representative cross section of maintenance activities in the corresponding subcategory;

(ii)  as a derogation from point (i), 1 year of practical maintenance experience in operating aircraft covering a representative cross section of maintenance activities in the corresponding subcategory, subject to the introduction of the limitation provided for in point 66.A.45(h)(ii)(3).

For the inclusion of an additional subcategory in an existing L licence, the experience required by points (i) and (ii) shall be 12 and 6 months respectively.

The holder of an aircraft maintenance licence in category/subcategory B1.2 or B3 is deemed to meet the basic experience requirements for a licence in subcategories L1C, L1, L2C and L2.

3. for category C with respect to complex motor-powered aircraft:

(i) 3 years of experience exercising category B1.1, B1.3 or B2 privileges on complex motor-powered aircraft or as support staff according to point 145.A.35, or, a combination of both; or

(ii) 5 years of experience exercising category B1.2 or B1.4 privileges on complex motor-powered aircraft or as support staff according to point 145.A.35, or a combination of both;

4. for category C with respect to other than complex motor-powered aircraft: 3 years of experience exercising category B1 or B2 privileges on other than complex motor-powered aircraft or as support staff according to point 145.A.35, or a combination of both;

5. for category C obtained through the academic route: an applicant holding an academic degree in a technical discipline, from a university or other higher educational institution recognised by the competent authority, 3 years of experience working in a civil aircraft maintenance environment on a representative selection of tasks directly associated with aircraft maintenance including 6 months of observation of base maintenance tasks.

(b) An applicant for an extension to an aircraft maintenance licence shall have a minimum civil aircraft maintenance experience requirement appropriate to the additional category or subcategory of licence applied for as defined in Appendix IV to this Annex (Part-66).

(c) The experience shall be practical and involve a representative cross section of maintenance tasks on aircraft.

(d) At least 1 year of the required experience shall be recent maintenance experience on aircraft of the category/subcategory for which the initial aircraft maintenance licence is sought. For subsequent category/subcategory additions to an existing aircraft maintenance licence, the additional recent maintenance experience required may be less than 1 year, but shall be at least 3 months. The required experience shall be dependent upon the difference between the licence category/subcategory held and applied for. Such additional experience shall be typical of the new licence category/subcategory sought.

(e) Notwithstanding point (a), aircraft maintenance experience gained outside a civil aircraft maintenance environment shall be accepted when such maintenance is equivalent to that required by this Annex (Part-66) as established by the competent authority. Additional experience of civil aircraft maintenance shall, however, be required to ensure adequate understanding of the civil aircraft maintenance environment.

(f) Experience shall have been acquired within the 10 years preceding the application for an aircraft maintenance licence or the addition of a category or subcategory to such a licence.

AMC 66.A.30(a) Basic experience requirements

ED Decision 2020/002/R

1. For a category C applicant holding an academic degree the representative selection of tasks should include the observation of hangar maintenance, maintenance planning, quality assurance, record-keeping, approved spare parts control and engineering development.

2. While an applicant to a category C licence may be qualified by having 3 years experience as category B1 or B2 certifying staff only in line maintenance, it is however recommended that any applicant to a category C holding a B1 or B2 licence demonstrate at least 12 months experience as a B1 or B2 support staff.

3. A skilled worker is a person who has successfully completed a training, acceptable to the competent authority, involving the manufacture, repair, overhaul or inspection of mechanical, electrical or electronic equipment. The training would include the use of tools and measuring devices.

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, aero clubs, owners, etc., as relevant to the licence category/subcategory;

               should cover a wide range of tasks in terms of 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, Part-CAO, 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 1 or 2 years of experience required by 66.A.30(a)(2b) 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 that supervised the applicant.

5. In the case of an applicant for a licence including several categories/subcategories, it is acceptable to combine the periods of experience as long as there is a sufficient experience for each category/subcategory during the required period. Examples:

               Application for a B1.1 (turbine aeroplanes) + B1.3 (turbine helicopters): The Regulation requires 5 years of experience for B1.1 and 5 years of experience for B1.3 for an applicant with no relevant previous technical training:

               It is not acceptable to combine the experience in a single 5-year period where the applicant has been working for 3 years on turbine aeroplanes and 2 years on turbine helicopters.

               However, it is acceptable to combine the experience in a single 5-year period if the applicant has been working for 5 years on turbine aeroplanes and turbine helicopters (for example, aeroplanes in the morning, helicopters in the afternoon, or a few days every week on aeroplanes and a few days every week on helicopters).

               Application for a B1.1 (turbine aeroplanes) + B2 (avionics): The Regulation requires 5 years of experience for B1.1 and 5 years of experience for B2 for an applicant with no relevant previous technical training.

               It is not acceptable to combine the experience in a single 5-year period where the applicant has been working for 3 years on turbine aeroplanes (with no avionics work) and 2 years on avionics systems.

               However, it is acceptable to combine the experience in a single 5-year period if the applicant has been working for 5 years on structures, powerplant, mechanical and electrical systems and avionics (for B1.1 tasks in the morning, B2 tasks in the afternoon, or a few days every week for B1.1 tasks and a few days every week for B2 tasks).

               Application for a B1.1, B1.2, B1.3, B1.4 and B2: The Regulation requires 5 years of experience for B1.1, B1.3 and B2 and 3 years of experience for B1.2 and B1.4 for an applicant with no relevant previous technical training.

               In this case, it is very unlikely that the experience for each category/subcategory would be sufficient.

AMC 66.A.30(c) Basic experience requirements

ED Decision 2019/009/R

In the case of the category B2L licence, the sentence ‘a representative cross section of maintenance tasks on aircraft’ refers to the person that has carried out some maintenance tasks that are representative of the systems corresponding to the system ratings for which he/she applies (see 66.A.3). These tasks may include troubleshooting, modifications or repairs.

AMC 66.A.30(d) Basic experience requirements

ED Decision 2015/029/R

To be considered as recent experience; at least 50% of the required 12-month recent experience should be gained within the 12 month period prior to the date of application for the aircraft maintenance licence. The remainder of the recent experience should have been gained within the 7-year period prior to application. It must be noted that the rest of the basic experience required by 66.A.30 must be obtained within the 10 years prior to the application as required by 66.A.30(f).

AMC 66.A.30(e) Basic experience requirements

ED Decision 2020/002/R

1. For categories A and L, the additional experience should be a minimum of 6 months in a civil aircraft maintenance environment. For categories B1, B2, B2L or B3, the additional experience should be a minimum of 12 months in a civil aircraft maintenance environment.

2. Aircraft maintenance experience gained outside a civil aircraft maintenance environment may include aircraft maintenance experience gained in armed forces, coast guards, police etc. or in aircraft manufacturing.

66.A.40 Continued validity of the aircraft maintenance licence

Regulation (EU) No 1321/2014

(a) The aircraft maintenance licence becomes invalid 5 years after its last issue or change, unless the holder submits his/her aircraft maintenance licence to the competent authority that issued it, in order to verify that the information contained in the licence is the same as that contained in the competent authority records, pursuant to point 66.B.120.

(b) The holder of an aircraft maintenance licence shall complete the relevant parts of EASA Form 19 (see Appendix V) and submit it with the holder's copy of the licence to the competent authority that issued the original aircraft maintenance licence, unless the holder works in a maintenance organisation approved in accordance with Annex II (Part-145) that has a procedure in its exposition whereby such organisation may submit the necessary documentation on behalf of the aircraft maintenance licence holder.

(c) Any certification privilege based upon a aircraft maintenance licence becomes invalid as soon as the aircraft maintenance licence is invalid.

(d) The aircraft maintenance licence is only valid (i) when issued and/or changed by the competent authority and (ii) when the holder has signed the document.

GM 66.A.40 Continued validity of the aircraft maintenance licence

ED Decision 2015/029/R

The validity of the aircraft maintenance licence is not affected by recency of maintenance experience whereas the validity of the 66.A.20 privileges is affected by maintenance experience as specified in 66.A.20(a).

66.A.45 Endorsement with aircraft ratings

Regulation (EU) 2019/1383

(a) In order to be entitled to exercise certification privileges on a specific aircraft type, the holder of an aircraft maintenance licence needs to have their licence endorsed with the relevant aircraft ratings:

               For category B1, B2 or C, the relevant aircraft ratings are the following:

(i) for Group 1 aircraft, the appropriate aircraft type rating;

(ii) for Group 2 aircraft, the appropriate aircraft type rating, manufacturer subgroup rating or full subgroup rating;

(iii) for Group 3 aircraft, the appropriate aircraft type rating or full group rating;

(iv) for Group 4 aircraft, for the category B2 licence, the full group rating.

               For category B2L, the relevant aircraft ratings are the following:

(i) for Group 2 aircraft, the appropriate manufacturer subgroup rating or full subgroup rating;

(ii) for Group 3 aircraft, the full group rating;

(iii) for Group 4 aircraft, the full group rating.

               For category B3, the relevant rating is ‘piston-engine non-pressurised aeroplanes of 2 000 kg MTOM and below’.

               For category L, the relevant aircraft ratings are the following:

(i) for subcategory L1C, the rating ‘composite sailplanes’;

(ii) for subcategory L1, the rating ‘sailplanes’;

(iii) for subcategory L2C, the rating ‘composite powered sailplanes and composite ELA1 aeroplanes’;

(iv) for subcategory L2, the rating ‘powered sailplanes and ELA1 aeroplanes’;

(v) for subcategory L3H, the rating ‘hot-air balloons’;

(vi) for subcategory L3G, the rating ‘gas balloons’

(vii) for subcategory L4H, the rating ‘hot-air airships’;

(viii) for subcategory L4G, the rating ‘ELA2 gas airships’;

(ix) for subcategory L5, the appropriate airship type rating.

               For category A, no rating is required, subject to compliance with the requirements of point 145.A.35 of Annex II (Part-145).

(b) The endorsement of aircraft type ratings requires the satisfactory completion of one of the following:

               the relevant category B1, B2 or C aircraft type training in accordance with Appendix III to Annex III (Part-66);

               in the case of gas airship type ratings on a B2 or L5 licence, a type training approved by the competent authority in accordance with point 66.B.130.

(c) For other than category C licences, in addition to the requirements of point (b), the endorsement of the first aircraft type rating within a given category/subcategory requires satisfactory completion of the corresponding on-the-job training. This on-the-job training shall comply with Appendix III to Annex III (Part-66), except in the case of gas airships, where it shall be directly approved by the competent authority.

(d) By derogation from points (b) and (c), for Group 2 and 3 aircraft, aircraft type ratings may also be endorsed on a licence after completing the following steps:

               satisfactory completion of the relevant category B1, B2 or C aircraft type examination in accordance with Appendix III to this Annex (Part-66);

               in the case of B1 and B2 category, demonstration of practical experience in the aircraft type. In that case, the practical experience shall include a representative cross section of maintenance activities relevant to the licence category.

In the case of a category C rating, for a person qualified through the academic route as referred to in point (a)(5) of point 66.A.30, the first relevant aircraft type examination shall be at the category B1 or B2 level.

(e) For Group 2 aircraft:

(i) the endorsement of manufacturer subgroup ratings for category B1 and C licence holders requires complying with the aircraft type rating requirements for at least two aircraft types from the same manufacturer, which combined are representative of the applicable manufacturer subgroup;

(ii)  the endorsement of full subgroup ratings for category B1 and C licence holders requires complying with the aircraft type rating requirements for at least three aircraft types from different manufacturers, which combined are representative of the applicable subgroup;

(iii) the endorsement of manufacturer subgroup and full subgroup ratings for category B2 and B2L licence holders requires demonstration of practical experience which shall include a representative cross section of maintenance activities relevant to the licence category and to the applicable aircraft subgroup and, in the case of the B2L licence, relevant to the applicable system rating(s);

(iv) by derogation from point (e)(iii), the holder of a B2 or B2L licence, endorsed with a full subgroup 2b, is entitled to be endorsed with a full subgroup 2c.

(f) For Group 3 and 4 aircraft:

(i) the endorsement of the full Group 3 rating for category B1, B2, B2L and C licence holders and the endorsement of the full Group 4 rating for B2 and B2L licence holders require demonstration of practical experience, which shall include a representative cross section of maintenance activities relevant to the licence category and to Group 3 or 4, as applicable;

(ii) for category B1, unless the applicant provides evidence of appropriate experience, Group 3 rating shall be subject to the following limitations, which shall be endorsed on the licence:

               pressurised aeroplanes,

               metal-structure aeroplanes,

               composite-structure aeroplanes,

               wooden-structure aeroplanes,

               aeroplanes with metal-tubing structure covered with fabric;

(iii)  by derogation from point (f)(i), the holder of a B2L licence, endorsed with a full subgroup 2a or 2b, is entitled to be endorsed with Groups 3 and 4.

(g)  For the B3 licence:

(i)  the endorsement of the rating ‘piston engine non-pressurised aeroplanes of 2 000 kg MTOM and below’ requires demonstration of practical experience, which shall include a representative cross section of maintenance activities relevant to the licence category;

(ii)  unless the applicant provides evidence of appropriate experience, the rating referred to in point (i) shall be subject to the following limitations, which shall be endorsed on the licence:

               wooden-structure aeroplanes,

               aeroplanes with metal-tubing structure covered with fabric,

               metal-structure aeroplanes,

               composite-structure aeroplanes.

(h)  For all L licence subcategories, other than L5:

(i)  the endorsement of ratings requires demonstration of practical experience which shall include a representative cross section of maintenance activities relevant to the licence subcategory;

(ii)  unless the applicant provides evidence of appropriate experience, the ratings shall be subject to the following limitations, which shall be endorsed on the licence:

(1)  for ratings ‘sailplanes’ and ‘powered sailplanes and ELA1 aeroplanes’:

               wooden-structure aircraft covered with fabric,

               aircraft with metal-tubing structure covered with fabric,

               metal-structure aircraft,

               composite-structure aircraft,

(2)  for the rating ‘gas balloons’:

               other than ELA1 gas balloons; and

(3)  if the applicant has only provided evidence of one-year experience in accordance with the derogation contained in point 66.A.30(a)(2b)(ii), the following limitation shall be endorsed on the licence:

‘complex maintenance tasks provided for in Appendix VII to Annex I (Part-M), standard changes provided for in point 21.A.90B of Annex I (Part-21) to Regulation (EU) No 748/2012 and standard repairs provided for in point 21.A.431B of Annex I (Part-21) to Regulation (EU) No 748/2012.’

The holder of an aircraft maintenance licence in subcategory B1.2 endorsed with the Group 3 rating, or in category B3 endorsed with the rating ‘piston engine non-pressurised aeroplanes of 2 000 kg MTOM and below’, is deemed to meet the requirements for the issuance of a licence in subcategories L1 and L2 with the corresponding full ratings and with the same limitations as the B1.2/B3 licence held.

GM 66.A.45 Endorsement with aircraft ratings

ED Decision 2020/002/R

The following table shows a summary of the aircraft rating requirements contained in 66.A.45, 66.A.50 and Appendix III to Part-66.

The table contains the following:

               The different aircraft groups.

               For each licence (sub)category, which ratings are possible (at the choice of the applicant):

               Individual type ratings.

               Full and/or Manufacturer (sub)group ratings

               For each rating option, which are the qualification options.

               For the B1.2 licence (Group 3 aircraft), the B3 licence (piston-engine non-pressurised aeroplanes of 2 000 kg MTOM and below) and the L licences, which are the possible limitations and ratings to be included in the licence if not sufficient experience can be demonstrated in those areas.

Note: OJT means ‘On-the-Job Training’ (Appendix III to Part-66, Section 6) and is only required for the first aircraft rating in the licence (sub)category.

GM 66.A.45(b) Endorsement with aircraft ratings

ED Decision 2020/002/R

An aircraft type rating includes all the aircraft models/variants listed in column 2 of Appendix I to AMC to Part-66.

When a person already holds a type rating on the licence and such type rating is amended in the Appendix I to AMC to Part-66 in order to include additional models/variants, there is no need for additional type training for the purpose of amending the type rating in the licence. The rating should be amended to include the new variants, upon request by the applicant, without additional requirements. However, it is the responsibility of the licence holder and, if applicable, the maintenance organisation where he/she is employed to comply with 66.A.20(b)3, 145.A.35(a), M.A.607(a), and CAO.A.040 as applicable, before he/she exercises certification privileges.

Similarly, type training courses covering certain, but not all the models/variants included in a type rating, are valid for the purpose of endorsing the full type rating.

AMC 66.A.45(d);(e)3;(f)1;(g)1;(h) Endorsement with aircraft ratings

ED Decision 2019/009/R

1. The ‘practical experience’ should cover a representative cross section including at least:

               for categories B1, B2, B2L and B3: 50 % of the tasks contained in Appendix II to the AMC relevant to the licence category and to the applicable aircraft type ratings or aircraft (sub)group ratings being endorsed;

               for category L:

               in the subcategories L1, L1C, L2 or L2C: 50 % as in the paragraph related to B1, B2, B2L or B3;

               in the subcategories L3H and L3G for ‘Balloons’ or L4H, L4G and L5 for ‘Airships’, 80 % of the tasks should be demonstrated, and should include the tasks identified with an asterisk (*) in the Appendix;

This experience should cover tasks from each paragraph of the Appendix II list. Other tasks than those in the Appendix II may be considered as a replacement when they are relevant. In the case of (sub)group ratings, this experience may be shown by covering one or several aircraft types of the applicable (sub)group and may include experience on aircraft classified in group 1, 2 and/or 3 as long as the experience is relevant. The practical experience should be obtained under the supervision of authorised certifying staff.

2. In the case of endorsement of individual type ratings for Group 2 and Group 3 aircraft, for the second aircraft type of each manufacturer (sub)group the practical experience should be reduced to 30% of the tasks contained in Appendix II to AMC relevant to the licence category and to the applicable aircraft type. For subsequent aircraft types of each manufacturer (sub) group this should be reduced to 20%.

3. Practical experience should be demonstrated by the submission of records or a log book showing the Appendix II tasks performed by the applicant. Typical data to be recorded are similar to those described in AMC 66.A.20(b)2.

AMC 66.A.45(e) Endorsement with aircraft ratings

ED Decision 2015/029/R

1. For the granting of manufacturer subgroup ratings for Group 2 aircraft, for B1 and C licence holders, the sentence ‘at least two aircraft types from the same manufacturer which combined are representative of the applicable manufacturer subgroup’ means that the selected aircraft types should cover the technologies relevant to the manufacturer subgroup in the following areas:

               Flight control systems (mechanical controls/hydromechanically powered controls / electromechanically powered controls); and

               Avionic systems (analogue systems / digital systems); and

               Structure (manufactured of metal / composite / wood).

In cases where there are very different aircraft types within the same manufacturer subgroup, it may be necessary to cover more than two aircraft types to ensure adequate representation.

For this purpose it may be possible to use aircraft types from the same manufacturer classified in Group 1 as long as the selected aircraft belong to the same licence subcategory for which the rating will be endorsed.

2. For the granting of full subgroup ratings for Group 2 aircraft, for B1 and C licence holders, the sentence ‘at least three aircraft types from different manufacturers which combined are representative of the applicable subgroup’ means that the selected aircraft types should cover all the technologies relevant to the manufacturer subgroup in the following areas:

               Flight control systems (mechanical controls/hydromechanically powered controls / electromechanically powered controls); and

               Avionic systems (analogue systems / digital systems); and

               Structure (manufactured of metal / composite / wood).

In cases where there are very different aircraft types within the same subgroup, it may be necessary to cover more than three aircraft types to ensure adequate representation.

For this purpose it may be possible to use aircraft types from different manufacturers classified in Group 1 as long as the selected aircraft belong to the same licence subcategory for which the rating will be endorsed.

3. For manufacturer subgroup ratings, the term ‘manufacturer’ means the TC holder defined in the certification data sheet, which is reflected in the list of type ratings in Appendix I to AMC to Part-66.

In the case of an aircraft rating where the type rating refers to a TC holder made of a combination of two manufacturers which produce a similar aircraft (i.e. AGUSTA / BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON or any case of aircraft similarly built by another manufacturer) this combination should be considered as one manufacturer.

As a consequence:

               When a licence holder gets a manufacturer type or a manufacturer subgroup rating made of a combination of manufacturers, it covers the combination of such manufacturers.

               When a licence holder who intends to endorse a full subgroup rating selects three aircraft from different manufacturers, this means from different combinations of manufacturers as applicable.

GM 66.A.45(h)2 Endorsement with aircraft ratings

ED Decision 2019/009/R

For subcategories L1 and L2, it is possible to endorse the corresponding ratings with limitations depending on the type of structures covered by the experience gained.

For subcategory L3G, it is possible to endorse the rating ‘gas balloons’ with a limitation to ‘other than ELA1 gas balloons’ if the experience gained only covers ELA1 gas balloons.

However, no limitations are possible for the subcategories L1C, L2C, L3H, L4H and L4G. The ratings on these licences can only be obtained after demonstration of the appropriate experience representative of the full scope of the licence subcategory.

66.A.50 Limitations

Regulation (EU) 2018/1142

(a) Limitations introduced on an aircraft maintenance licence are exclusions from the certification privileges and, in the case of limitations referred to in point 66.A.45, they affect the aircraft in its entirety.

(b) For limitations referred to in point 66.A.45, limitations shall be removed upon:

1. demonstration of appropriate experience; or

2. after a satisfactory practical assessment performed by the competent authority.

(c) For limitations referred to in point 66.A.70, limitations shall be removed upon satisfactory completion of examination on those modules/subjects defined in the applicable conversion report referred to in point 66.B.300.

AMC 66.A.50(b) Limitations

ED Decision 2020/002/R

1. The appropriate experience required to remove the limitations referred to in 66.A.45(f),(g) and (h) should consist of the performance of a variety of tasks appropriate to the limitations under the supervision of authorised certifying staff. This should include the tasks required by a scheduled annual inspection. Alternatively, this experience may also be gained, if agreed by the competent authority, by theoretical and practical training provided by the manufacturer, as long as an assessment is further carried out and recorded by this manufacturer.

2. It is acceptable to have this experience in just one aircraft type, provided this type is representative of the (sub)group in relation to the limitation being removed.

3. It is acceptable that this experience is gained in aircraft not covered by the Basic Regulation, provided that this experience is relevant and representative of the corresponding (sub)group. An example could be the experience required to remove a limitation such as ‘aircraft with metal tubing structure covered with fabric’, which may be gained in ultralight aircraft (Annex I aircraft).

4. The application for the limitation removal should be supported by a record of experience signed by the authorised certifying staff or by an assessment signed by the manufacturer after completion of the applicable theoretical and practical training.

66.A.55 Evidence of qualification

Regulation (EU) No 1321/2014

Personnel exercising certification privileges as well as support staff shall produce their licence, as evidence of qualification, within 24 hours upon request by an authorised person.

66.A.70 Conversion provisions

Regulation (EU) 2018/1142

(a) The holder of a certifying staff qualification valid in a Member State, prior to the date of entry into force of Annex III (Part-66) shall be issued an aircraft maintenance licence by the competent authority of this Member State without further examination subject to the conditions specified in Section B Subpart D.

(b) A person undergoing a certifying staff qualification process valid in a Member State, prior to the date of entry into force of Annex III (Part-66) may continue to be qualified. The holder of a certifying staff qualification gained following such process shall be issued an aircraft maintenance licence by the competent authority of this Member State without further examination subject to the conditions specified in Section B Subpart D.

(c) Where necessary, the aircraft maintenance licence shall contain limitations in accordance with point 66.A.50 to reflect the differences between:

(i)  the scope of the certifying staff qualification valid in the Member State before the entry into force of the applicable licence category or subcategory provided for in this Annex (Part-66);

(ii)  the basic knowledge requirements and the basic examination standards laid down in Appendices I and II to this Annex (Part-66).

(d) By derogation from point (c), for aircraft not used by licenced air carriers in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008, other than complex motor-powered aircraft, and for balloons, sailplanes, motor-powered sailplanes and airships, the aircraft maintenance licence shall contain limitations in accordance with point 66.A.50 to ensure that the certifying staff privileges valid in the Member State before the entry into force of the applicable Part-66 licence category/subcategory and those of the converted Part-66 aircraft maintenance licence remain the same.

GM 66.A.70 Conversion provisions

ED Decision 2019/009/R

1. As described in point 66.A.70, the conversion provisions apply to the holder of a certifying staff qualification valid in a Member State prior to the date of entry into force of Annex III (Part-66). The sentence ‘the holder of a certifying staff qualification valid in a Member State’ means any person who had a qualification valid in that Member State allowing that person the performance of activities identical to the privileges of ‘certifying staff’ contained in Regulation (EU) 1321/2014. This means that the signature of that person was sufficient to declare that the maintenance had been properly performed and the aircraft was ready for service and fit for flight in respect to such maintenance.

This should not been mistaken with the responsibilities linked to the airworthiness review, which was performed at different periods (typically varying from 6 months to 3 years) in the national systems. This is an activity which is performed at very specific points of time and not after every maintenance activity. Since an airworthiness review (or equivalent term used in the national systems) is not performed after every maintenance event before the aircraft takes flight, an airworthiness review cannot be considered as a maintenance release. This means that the conversion provisions described in 66.A.70 are not applicable to persons performing airworthiness review functions unless their signature was required after every maintenance event before the aircraft can take flight.

2. The conversion applies to ‘certifying staff qualifications’ such as, for example:

               holding a national licence (or completed the process to obtain such a national licence);

               having completed a qualification process defined by the competent authority, or equivalent body under the national system, to become certifying staff;

               having completed the qualification requirements for certifying staff within a maintenance organisation, as defined in their procedures.

This does not mean that in order to be entitled to a conversion process, the applicant has to be exercising certification privileges. A person may hold a ‘certifying staff qualification’ while not having certification privileges (or while exercising very limited certification privileges below his/her qualification) for different reasons such as, for example, the following:

               The person is working as ‘support staff’ in the base maintenance environment;

               The person has been authorised only for a very limited range of tasks (lower than what he/she would be entitled if his/her qualification is considered) since the person is working in a line station where the scope of tasks is very limited;

               The person holds a licence with a wider scope than the scope of the organisation where he/she is employed;

               The person is working outside the aviation industry or is temporarily on leave due to different reasons (medical, personal, etc).

These persons are entitled to have the conversion performed in accordance with the full scope of their qualification and the full privileges that they would be entitled to hold on the basis of such qualification.

3. As described in point 66.A.70, certifying staff qualifications eligible for conversion are those valid ‘prior to the date of entry into force of Annex III (Part-66)’, which means those qualifications valid before the following dates:

               28 September 2005 for aircraft above 5 700 kg MTOM;

               28 September 2006 for aircraft of 5 700 kg MTOM and below.

Nevertheless, since the B3, B2L and L licences did not exist at those dates, certifying staff qualifications eligible for conversion to a B3, B2L and L licence are those valid before the competent authority had the obligation to start issuing such licences, which means the following:

               for the B3 licence, those qualifications valid before 28 September 2012;

               for the B2L licence, those qualifications valid before 5 March 2019;

               for the L licence, those qualifications valid before 1 October 2019.

4. Although only those certifying staff qualifications gained prior to the dates indicated above are eligible for conversion, this does not mean that the application for conversion has to be submitted prior to those dates. The applicant is entitled to have the conversion performed irrespective of when he/she applies for conversion.

5. A certifying staff qualification can be subject to more than one conversion process and can also be converted to more than one licence (sub)category (with any applicable limitations). This could be the case, for example, of a person who already had the certifying staff qualification converted in the past to a B1.2 licence with limitations linked to some missing elements of the Part-66 Appendix I and II standard (following 66.A.70(c)). This person would be entitled to apply and have his/her certifying staff qualification converted to a B1.2 or a B3 or L licence on the basis of 66.A.70(d), which would mean no need to compare with the Part-66 Appendix I, II or VII standard, introducing only those limitations required in order to maintain the existing privileges.

GM 66.A.70(c) Conversion provisions

ED Decision 2015/029/R

For example, a limitation could be where a person holds a pre-existing certifying staff qualification which covered, to the standard of Part-66 Appendix I and II, all the modules/subjects corresponding to the B1 licence except for electrical power systems. This person would be issued a Part-66 aircraft maintenance licence in the B1 category with a limitation (exclusion) on electrical power systems.

For removal of limitations, refer to 66.A.50(c).

GM 66.A.70(d) Conversion provisions

ED Decision 2020/002/R

For aircraft not used by air carriers licensed in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 other than complex motor-powered aircraft, an example of limitations could be where a person holds a pre-Part-66 qualification which covered privileges to release work performed on aircraft structures, powerplant, mechanical and electrical systems but excluded privileges on aircraft equipped with turbine engine, aircraft above 2 000 kg MTOM, pressurised aircraft and aircraft equipped with retractable landing gear. This person would be issued with a Part-66 aircraft maintenance licence in the B1.2 or B3 (sub)category with the following limitations (exclusions):

               aircraft used by air carriers licensed in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 (this limitation always exists);

               aircraft above 2 000 kg MTOM;

               pressurised aircraft;

               aircraft equipped with retractable landing gear.

Another example of limitations could be where a pilot-owner holds a pre-Part-66 qualification which covered privileges to release work performed on aircraft structures, powerplant, mechanical and electrical systems but limited to their own aircraft and limited to a particular aircraft type (for example, a Cessna 172). This pilot-owner would receive a Part-66 aircraft maintenance licence in the B1.2 or B3 (sub)category with the following limitations (exclusions):

               aircraft used by air carriers licensed in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 (this limitation always exists);

               aircraft other than a Cessna 172;

               aircraft not owned by the licence holder.

One more example would be the case where a person holds a pre-Part-66 qualification that covers privileges to release work on composite and metal sailplanes and powered sailplanes, covering aircraft structures, powerplant, mechanical and electrical systems. This person would be issued a Part-66 aircraft maintenance licence in the L2 subcategory, with the following limitations (exclusions):

               ELA1 aeroplanes;

               wooden-structure aircraft covered with fabric;

               aeroplanes with metal-tubing structure covered with fabric.

And one more example would be the case where a person holds a pre-Part-66 qualification that covers privileges to release work on composite sailplanes up to the annual inspection but not including complex maintenance tasks, repairs and changes. This person would be issued a Part-66 aircraft maintenance licence in the L1C subcategory, with the following limitations:

               complex maintenance tasks described in Appendix VII to Annex I (Part-M), standard changes described in Part 21 point 21.A.90B, and standard repairs described in Part 21 point 21.A.431B.

The essential aspect is that the limitations are established in order to maintain the privileges of the pre-Part-66 qualification without comparing the previous qualification with the standard of Part-66 Appendix I and II.

For removal of limitations, refer to 66.A.50(c).