EASA welcomes new maintenance rules

Some requirements are already applicable as of 5 September 2018

The long-awaited amendment of continuing airworthiness regulation, Regulation (EU) 2018/1142, introducing, amongst others, a new maintenance licencing system applicable to general aviation and limitations to privileges of the approved maintenance training organisations due to fraud cases, was finally adopted on 14 Aug 2018. 

The main changes are the following:

  • Introduction of two new certifying staff licences, one applicable to general aviation (L licence) and the other applicable to avionics and electrical systems of aircraft other than complex (B2L licence). (Opinion 05/2015).
    Applicability:
    • L-licence: 1 October 2019 (obligation for NAAs to start issuing them) and 1 October 2020 (obligation for certifying staff to hold Part-66 licence)
    • B2L licence: 5 March 2019
  • Limitation of the examination privileges of Part-147 maintenance training organisations for stand-alone basic examinations not combined with approved basic training course. (Opinion 07/2015)
    Applicability: 5 September 2018.
  • Strengthening the requirements for procedures to accept, install and segregate components, parts and material (Opinion 12/2013)
    Applicability: 5 March 2019.
  • Derogation of the obligation, for non-commercial twin turbo-prop aeroplanes of 5700 Kg MTOM or less, to contract a CAMO and an approved maintenance organisation until 1 January 2025.

The main expected benefits of this amendment are:

  • Simplified and proportionate maintenance licensing system for the more simple aircraft, replacing in due time national qualifications.
  • Mitigating the risk of licence holders without the required basic knowledge due to fraud. 
  • Mitigating the risk of accepting or installing non-approved components, parts or material.