CAR 66 Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Licensing Review

Comprehensive vocabulary list based on the CAR 66 Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Licensing regulation for GCAA UAE.

GCAA

The General Civil Aviation Authority designated by the United Arab Emirates Federal Government as the competent authority for regulation.

OTTG

Operators Technical Training Group; a GCAA led consultative committee that included representatives from aviation industry segments to develop regulations.

AMC

Acceptable Means of Compliance; a section of the regulation where conformity is mandatory unless alternative means result in an equivalent level of safety.

CAR 66.1 Scope

The section that defines the Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Licence and establishes requirements for application, issue, and continuation of validity.

Subcategory A1

Aeroplanes Turbine.

Subcategory A2

Aeroplanes Piston.

Subcategory A3

Helicopters Turbine.

Subcategory A4

Helicopters Piston.

Subcategory B1.1

Aeroplanes Turbine.

Subcategory B1.2

Aeroplanes Piston.

Subcategory B1.3

Helicopters Turbine.

Subcategory B1.4

Helicopters Piston.

Category B2

A licence category applicable to all aircraft covering avionic and electrical systems.

Category B3

A licence category applicable to piston-engine non-pressurised aeroplanes of $2000\,kg$ Maximum Take-off Mass (MTOM) and below.

Category L

A licence category divided into subcategories for hot-air balloons, gas balloons, hot-air airships, and gas airships.

Category C

A licence category applicable to aeroplanes and helicopters for certificates of release to service following base maintenance.

Group 1 Aircraft

Complex motor-powered aircraft, multiple engine helicopters, aeroplanes above FL290, aircraft with fly-by-wire, and gas airships other than Category L.

Sub-group 2a

Single turbo-propeller engine aeroplanes and certain turbojet/multiple-turboprop aeroplanes of lower complexity.

Sub-group 2b

Single turbine engine helicopters and certain multiple turbine helicopters of lower complexity.

Sub-group 2c

Single piston engine helicopters and certain multiple piston engine helicopters of lower complexity.

Group 3 Aircraft

Piston engine aeroplanes other than those in Group 1.

Group 4 Aircraft

Balloons and Airships other than those in Group 1.

Minimum Age

An applicant for an Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Licence shall be at least 18 years of age.

Eligibility Criteria (AMC 66.15)

Must be a UAE/GCC national, a legal employee of a UAE approved organisation, or a graduate of a GCAA CAR 147 approved training organisation.

Category A Privilege

Permits release to service following minor scheduled line maintenance and simple defect rectification personally performed by the holder.

Category B1 Privilege

Permits release to service following maintenance on aircraft structure, powerplant, mechanical and electrical systems, and simple avionic tests.

Category B2 Privilege

Permits release to service for maintenance on avionic and electrical systems, and electrical/avionic tasks within powerplant/mechanical systems.

Category L Privilege

Permits release to service following maintenance on structures, powerplant, mechanical/electrical systems, and work on radio, ELT, and transponder systems.

Electrical System

The aircraft electrical power supply source, distribution system to components, connectors, and lighting systems.

Avionics System

An aircraft system that transfers, processes, displays, or stores analogue or digital data using data lines, buses, or wireless mediums.

Simple Test

A test verified using aircraft controls/BITE/CMC, resulting in a unique go–no go indication, and involving no more than 10 actions.

Troubleshooting

Procedures and actions necessary to identify the root cause of a defect or malfunction using approved maintenance data.

Line Maintenance

Maintenance carried out before flight to ensure the aircraft is fit for the intended flight, including troubleshooting and component replacement.

Base Maintenance

Any maintenance task falling outside the criteria provided for Line Maintenance.

Maintenance Experience Recency

6 months of maintenance experience in accordance with the licence privileges within the preceding 2-year period.

100 Days of Experience

The number of maintenance experience days that can replace the 6-month period requirement for exercising privileges.

Knowledge Level 1 (Objectives)

Familiarity with basic elements, ability to give simple descriptions using common words, and ability to use typical terms.

Knowledge Level 2 (Objectives)

Understanding theoretical fundamentals, using mathematical formulae with physical laws, reading sketches/drawings, and applying detailed procedures.

Knowledge Level 3 (Objectives)

Knowing theory and interrelationships, detailed descriptions using specific examples, and preparing/interpreting sketches and manufacturer instructions.

Examination Validity

Training courses and examinations shall have been passed within 10 years prior to the application for a licence or addition of a category.

Credit Expiration

Examination credits granted by the GCAA expire 10 years after they were granted.

Category A, B1.2, B1.4, and B3 Experience (Standard)

3 years of practical maintenance experience if the applicant has no previous relevant technical training.

Category A, B1.2, B1.4, and B3 Experience (Skilled Worker)

2 years of practical maintenance experience and completion of training as a skilled worker in a technical trade.

Category A, B1.2, B1.4, and B3 Experience (CAR 147 Course)

1 year of practical maintenance experience and completion of a GCAA CAR 147 approved basic training course.

Category B2, B1.1, and B1.3 Experience (Standard)

5 years of practical maintenance experience if the applicant has no previous relevant technical training.

Category B2, B1.1, and B1.3 Experience (Skilled Worker)

3 years of practical maintenance experience and completion of training as a skilled worker in a technical trade.

Category B2, B1.1, and B1.3 Experience (CAR 147 Course)

2 years of practical maintenance experience and completion of a GCAA CAR 147 approved basic training course.

Category L Experience

2 years of practical maintenance experience on operating balloons/airships covering a representative cross section of activities.

Category C Experience (Large Aircraft, B1/B2 path)

3 years of experience exercising category B1.1, B1.3 or B2 privileges on large aircraft.

Category C Experience (Academic Route)

3 years of experience in civil aircraft maintenance, including 6 months of observation of base maintenance tasks, for degree holders.

Recent Experience Requirement

At least one year of required experience shall be recent maintenance on aircraft of the category sought; at least 50% must be within the 12 months prior to application.

Outside Civil Maintenance Experience

Experience in armed forces, coast guards, or police is accepted if equivalent, but additional civil environment experience is required.

UAE Experience Requirement

At least 50% of the required experience period must be gained at GCAA approved organizations within UAE territory.

Skilled Worker

A person who has completed a course of training involving manufacture, repair, overhaul, or inspection of mechanical, electrical, or electronic equipment.

Licence Validity Period

The Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Licence becomes invalid 8 years after its last issue unless submitted for verification.

Licence Expiry (>2 years)

Requires a declaration of non-exercise of privileges, a letter from the Quality Department, and passing a GCAA Aviation Legislation examination.

OJE

On the Job Experience; required for the endorsement of the first aircraft type rating within a given category/sub-category.

Group 2 Aircraft (Full Sub-group Rating)

Endorsement requiring aircraft type rating requirements of at least 3 aircraft types from different manufacturers.

Group 2 Aircraft (Manufacturer Sub-group Rating)

Endorsement requiring aircraft type rating requirements of at least 2 aircraft types from the same manufacturer.

Practical Experience (for Group Ratings)

Must cover a representative cross section including at least 50% of tasks contained in Appendix II to AMC.

Type Rating Amendment

New models/variants added to Appendix I do not require additional type training for existing rating holders, but require compliance with 66.20(b)3.

Removal of Limitations (Standard)

Limitations shall be removed upon demonstration of appropriate experience or after a satisfactory practical assessment by the GCAA.

Evidence of Qualification

Licence must be produced within 24 hours upon request from an authorised person.

Conversion Date (Aircraft >5700kg)

Qualifications eligible for conversion are those valid prior to 01 July 2011.

Conversion Date (B3 Licence)

Qualifications eligible for conversion to a B3 licence are those valid before 01 December 2013.

ICAO Licence Conversion (Category 1)

Acceptable for conversion following only an Aviation Legislation examination (includes UK, Germany, France, etc.).

ICAO Licence Conversion (Category 2)

Acceptable for conversion following Aviation Legislation and Human Factors examinations (includes Canada, India, USA FAA A&P, etc.).

Failed Conversion Modular Exam

May be retaken once; after a second failure, the applicant must attend a full module 9/10 course at a CAR 147 organization.

Temporary Validation

Initial validity of 90 days, extendable for another 90 days, to permit a non-UAE licence holder to exercise privileges in the UAE.

Module 1

Mathematics.

Module 2

Physics.

Module 3

Electrical Fundamentals.

Module 4

Electronic Fundamentals.

Module 5

Digital Techniques/Electronic Instrument Systems.

Module 6

Materials and Hardware.

Module 7A

Maintenance Practices (General).

Module 8

Basic Aerodynamics.

Module 9A

Human Factors (General).

Module 10

Aviation Legislation.

Module 15

Gas Turbine Engine.

Module 16

Piston Engine.

Module 17A

Propeller (General).

Basic Examination Standard (MCQ)

Each question has 3 alternatives, only one correct, with 75 seconds allowed per question and a 75% pass mark.

Basic Examination Standard (Essay)

Required for Modules 7, 9, and 10; 20 minutes allowed per question with a 75% pass mark.

Failed Basic Module Retake (General)

May not be retaken for at least 90 days following the date of the failed examination.

Failed Basic Module Retake (CAR 147 Retraining)

May be retaken after 30 days if a course of retraining tailored to failed subjects is conducted.

Module Attempt Limit

Maximum of 3 consecutive attempts for each module, followed by a 1-year waiting period.

Theoretical Type Training Time Limit

Must be started and completed within 3 years preceding the application for a type rating endorsement.

Type Training Level 1

A brief overview of the airframe, systems, and powerplant providing a simple description and identifying manuals.

Type Training Level 2

Basic system overview of controls, indicators, principal components, servicing, and minor troubleshooting.

Type Training Level 3

Detailed description, operation, component location, removal/installation, BITE, and troubleshooting procedures.

Theoretical Training Duration (B1.1, >30,000kg)

$150$ tuition hours.

TNA

Training Needs Analysis; the main driver for determining and justifying the duration of an aircraft type training course.

Maximum Theoretical Training Hours Per Day

Not more than 6 hours per day.

Minimum Type Training Attendance

Not less than 90% of the tuition hours of the theoretical training course.

Type Training Examination Pass Mark

The minimum pass mark is 75% for each written multi-choice examination.

OJE Supervision Progress

Up to 50% of the required OJE may be undertaken within 90 days before the aircraft theoretical type training starts.

OJE Completion Window

Shall have been started and completed within the 3 years preceding the application for a type rating endorsement.

Limitation 1

Excluding electrical power generation & distribution system.

Limitation 9

Excluding avionics LRUs.