66.022: Aircraft Maintenance Licence for Light Aircraft

1. 66.022: Aircraft Maintenance Licence for Light Aircraft Juan Anton Frederic Knecht

2. Current requirements • According to Part-66, the current licensing system includes the following categories of licences for aircraft: • A1, A2, A3, A4 • B1.1, B1.2, B1.3, B1.4 • B2 • C • National system for sailplanes and balloons • The qualification requirements for Licences B1.2 “Piston engine aeroplanes” and B1.4 “Piston engine helicopters” are the same for all sizes and complexity of aircraft. WG 66.022: Aircraft Maintenance Licence for Light Aircraft

3. Feedback received by EASA • Industry and NAAs have requested the creation of an aircraft maintenance licence specific for light aircraft, with reduced qualification requirements that are better adapted to the reduced complexity of these aircrafts. • In their view, the current system has the following shortcomings: • Currently, there are not enough Part-66 licence holders to cover the needs that all the General Aviation industry will face when Part-M regulations come into force for aircraft not used in Commercial Air Transport. • The current qualification requirements are too stringent for the reduced complexity of light aircraft, imposing also a non-reasonable economical impact. • Current B1.2 and B1.4 licence holders may prefer to develop their career on larger piston engine aircraft rather than in light aircraft. WG 66.022: Aircraft Maintenance Licence for Light Aircraft

4. Task 66.022 • A working group was created, with members from Industry, NAA´s and EASA. • 4 meetings (2 full days each) already held during May and June 2007 • Work still undergoing, with the following envisaged calendar: • NPA ready for external consultation by October 2007. • End of NPA comment period by January 2008. • CRD ready for external consultation by March 2008. • End of CRD comment period by May 2008. • Opinion issued by June 2008. WG 66.022: Aircraft Maintenance Licence for Light Aircraft

5. Key aspects of the aircraft maintenance licence for light aircraft (currently under discussion) • New categories of aircraft maintenance licences: • “B3”: applicable to non-pressurised piston engine aeroplanes, sailplanes and motor-powered sailplanes with MTOM less than 2000 Kg (not applicable to balloons or helicopters) • “ELA.1”: applicable to European Light Aircraft ELA-1 (as defined in the near future by MDM.032, but excluding rotorcraft. This classification is still under discussion). This licence will be further divided in: • “ELA.1-Basic”: licence limited to maintenance not including annual inspections and major repairs and modifications. • “ELA.1-Full”: includes the privileges of “ELA-Basic” plus annual inspections and major repairs and modifications. WG 66.022: Aircraft Maintenance Licence for Light Aircraft

6. Key aspects of the aircraft maintenance licence for light aircraft (currently under discussion) • The “B3” licence may be used in Commercial and Non-Commercial Air Transport. However, the definition of European Light Aircraft limits the use of the “ELA.1” licence to Non-Commercial Air Transport. • The privileges associated with the “B3” and “ELA.1” licences are limited to structure, powerplant and mechanical and electrical systems. They will also include work on avionic systems requiring simple tests. • It is not the intention of the working group to create a specific licence similar to a B2 for light aircraft. • For aircraft other than aeroplanes and helicopters it is the intention to maintain the possibility ofusing the corresponding Member State regulation for certifying staff (as stated in 66.A.100) in addition to the “B3” and “ELA.1” licences (when applicable). WG 66.022: Aircraft Maintenance Licence for Light Aircraft

7. Key aspects of the aircraft maintenance licence for light aircraft (currently under discussion) • As a summary, possible licences to be used are (in addition to A, B2 and C when applicable): • Piston engine helicopters: B1.4 • Piston engine aeroplanes above 2000 Kg MTOM and all pressurised piston engine aeroplanes: B1.2 • Non-pressurised piston engine aeroplanes between 1000 Kg and 2000 Kg MTOM: B1.2 or B3 • Non-pressurised piston engine aeroplanes below 1000 Kg MTOM: B1.2 or B3 or “ELA.1” • Sailplanes and motor powered sailplanes below 850 Kg MTOM: B3 or “ELA.1” or “National Licence” • Balloons falling outside the “ELA.1” definition: “National Licence” • Balloons falling inside the “ELA.1” definition: “ELA.1” or “National Licence” These categories may change depending on the definition of “ELA.1” finally agreed by MDM.032. WG 66.022: Aircraft Maintenance Licence for Light Aircraft

8. Training and experience requirements (currently under discussion) • “B3” licence: • Basic Knowledge: Examination per revised Appendix I to Part-66 (duration of approved Part-147 course: approx. 900h) • Practical Experience: between 1 and 3 years (the same as for B1.2). Ref. 66.A.30(a)1 NOTE: Examination per Appendix I may be replaced by examination on “human factors” and “aviation law” if shown 10 years maintenance experience (at least 80% of the tasks of Appendix II to AMC). WG 66.022: Aircraft Maintenance Licence for Light Aircraft

9. Training and experience requirements (currently under discussion) • “ELA-Basic” licence: • Basic Knowledge: 80 h training covering: • “human factors” and “aviation law”, and • specific training on one of the following: • aircraft (either wood or metal or composite), or • powerplant, or • Balloon • No practical experience required. WG 66.022: Aircraft Maintenance Licence for Light Aircraft

10. Training and experience requirements (currently under discussion) • “ELA-Full” licence: • Basic Knowledge: 100 h additional technical training (in order to have one aircraft structure and engine combination) • Practical experience:2 years experience as “ELA-Basic” certifying staff. WG 66.022: Aircraft Maintenance Licence for Light Aircraft