Proposed modular licensing framework for aircraft maintenance engineers - (CD 2309MS)

The consultation Proposed modular licensing framework for aircraft maintenance engineers (CD 2309MS) was opened for comment from 14 September to 12 October 2023.

We asked people to provide comments on proposed amendments to the Part 66 Manual of Standards (MOS) to provide a modular licensing framework for aircraft maintenance engineers.

About this consultation

Since the introduction of Part 66 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR), CASA has received submissions from industry stakeholders indicating that the Part 66 licence pathways are too inflexible. Submissions called for a return to the regulation 31 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988 (CAR) structure with licence categories that better suit the individual areas of interest and workplace needs.

Prior to this consultation, we consulted with the Part 66 Technical Working Group (TWG) on the technical details of the proposed modular licensing structure and In December 2022 we published a Discussion paper on Part 66 modular licensing framework for aircraft maintenance engineers (DP 2218MS).

Respondents generally supported a modular licence structure based on the existing Part 66 knowledge and experience requirements and using exclusions in order to expedite delivery of the intended benefits and outcomes.

This consultation set out the details of the proposed modular structure, including proposed amendments of the Part 66 MOS, for consideration and comment.

In total, there were 35 respondents to the proposed amendments. Most responses received were from LAMEs and AME/trainees, with 1 respondent identifying as having no industry or organisation affiliation.

Of the respondents who made written submissions, 31 consented to having them made public and 4 requested their submissions be confidential.

Summary of feedback

The majority of respondents supported the proposal in its entirety offering comments such as:

"…a great step forward"

"…positive impact"

"The modular licence will work very well for my current workplace."

"Appreciation goes to CASA for supporting the implementation of these amendments which will support the aircraft maintenance industry which is suffering due to the LAME shortage crisis".

Nine respondents who agreed with the proposals said that 2 years' experience was inadequate for a person obtaining their first AME licence. They suggested minimum times varied from 2∙5 to 3 years. The main reason given was the lack of maintenance practice and the "culture" exposure to lack of maturity.

CASA considers 2 years as an acceptable minimum experience requirement for a modular licence. In all cases, before a licence is granted, applicants are required to satisfactorily complete the relevant maintenance tasks to meet the competency requirements. CASA also notes that this proposal will not change existing minimum age requirements, i.e., an applicant for a licence must be at least 18 years of age at the time of application. The minimum age to be authorised by a Part 145 AMO as a certifying employee, remains at 21 years.

Additionally, the 2 years minimum experience meets the requirements of Annex 1, Operation of Aircraft to the Chicago Convention standard a licence with privileges restricted to either airframe and engine and aircraft systems and components, or avionics systems or components. The 2 year time period is also in line with similar EASA provisions and exceeds the FAA minimum standard.

Four respondents said that removal of exclusions needs to be simplified. CASA is working with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts to receive policy approval to amend the regulations to provide for removal of exclusions using the Part 66 self-study provisions.

Nine respondents said that mapping to the national vocational education and training (NVET) structure is important. CASA is working with MTOs to agree a mapping of the NVET units of competency to the Part 66 licence modules.

One MTO responded saying that Module 11 should be broken into 2 examinations, with the electrical/instrument components examined separately. CASA has considered this in consultation with the TWG and it was decided to leave Module 11 intact to keep the number and the cost of examinations to a minimum and to allow for the expeditious making of the MOS amendments.

One respondent said that "positive sub-ratings" should be used instead of exclusions. CASA advises that positive privilege statements would require extensive redrafting of the regulations and the MOS, which would delay the intended outcomes. CASA will consider this issue with the TWG as a future initiative.

One respondent said we should:

"...stop making changes to an already terrible system. Go back to basics and a known proven method."

CASA advises that reverting to a previous licensing system is not an option contemplated in this proposal.

In view of the high level of support for the proposal, we will progress the proposed amendments to the Part 66 Manual of Standards and the associated implementation arrangements to provide modular licensing pathways via both self-study and Maintenance Traning Organisations (MTOs). We will also work with the Part 66 Technical Working Group and MTOs to finalise the list of competency units that will be required to be completed for each modular licence by applicants using the MTO pathway.