Self-study option for removing Part 66 aircraft engineer licence exclusions – (CD 2517MS)

Overview

We are seeking feedback on proposed amendments to allow licensed aircraft maintenance engineers to use the self-study training pathway to remove exclusions from their Part 66 licence category or subcategories.

This initiative introduces additional flexibility for exclusion removal training, by enabling self-study to be used as an additional training method to remove exclusions. We’re working to improve pathways for maintenance licences as part of our GA workplan.

Legislation

The amendments apply to regulation 66.072 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR), and the Part 66 Manual of Standards (MOS).

Proposed changes

The key changes are:

• amending Regulation 66.072 of CASR to:
  • enable a licence holder with exclusions on aircraft systems or subsystems to apply to CASA for removal, provided they meet the prescribed requirements.
  • specify the types of evidence CASA must receive – either from a maintenance training organisation (MTO) or directly from the licence holder – demonstrating that they meet the knowledge, competency and experience standards outlined in the Part 66 MOS.
• amending Section 66.A.70 of the 66 MOS to specify the requirements for basic knowledge, competency, and the practical experience necessary for exclusion removal via the self-study pathway.

Current limitation

Under existing legislation, exclusion removal training, examination and assessment must be conducted by a Part 147 maintenance training organisation (MTO) approved by CASA to conduct licence category training. The Part 66 MOS does not specify requirements for the use of self-study as a valid pathway for exclusion removal.

Facilitating use of the self-study pathway for exclusion removal requires an amendment to regulation 66.072 of the CASR, which effectively provides the head of power in legislation for the associated changes required to the Part 66 MOS.

Feedback on type rating amendments and minor corrections

This consultation also asks for your feedback on amendments to update the type rated aircraft types and type rating endorsement tables provided in Appendix IX of the Part 66 MOS.

Further information

For more details on the proposed amendment please read the summary of proposed change on CD 2517MS.

Previous consultations

The use of self-study as an optional pathway for exclusion removal training was previously considered, originally as an element of the self-study proposal (introduced in August 2021) and later, as an element of the modular licensing proposal (introduced in December 2023).

Why your views matter

Your feedback will help us ensure the proposed Part 66 MOS and regulation amendments are suitable, clear and will work as intended.

Please submit your comments using the survey link on this page.

If you are unable to provide feedback via the survey link, please email regulatoryconsultation@casa.gov.au for advice.

Documents for review

All documents related to this consultation are attached in the ‘Related’ section at the bottom of the overview page. They are:

• Summary of proposed change on CD 2517MS - provides the background context and details on the proposed amendments to the Part 66 MOS and to regulation 66.072 of CASR.
• Exposure draft — Civil Aviation Safety Amendment (Minor Changes) Regulations 2025: self-study pathway for removal of exclusion from aircraft engineer licence.
• Consultation draft — Part 66 Manual of Standards Amendment Instrument 2025 (No.2).
• MS Word copy of online consultation for ease of distribution and feedback within your organisation.

What happens next

At the end of the response period, we will:

• review all comments received
• make responses publicly available on the consultation hub (unless you request your submission remain confidential)
• publish a Summary of Consultation which summarises the feedback received and outlines any intended changes and next steps.

All comments received on the proposed amendments will be considered. Relevant feedback that is consistent with the intent of the proposed policy may be incorporated into the final amendment.