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Aircraft Engineering introductory year, foundation degree FdEng and top-up year BSc(Hons): How do I become a licensed aircraft engineer?
Categories of license and the routes to gaining them
Licences for aircraft engineers are issued under Basic Regulation (EC) 1592/2002 Part 66 certifying Staff (Part 66). Part 66 provides a common and mutually acceptable standard for the certification of aircraft maintenance engineers across the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) member states. The basic element of a Part 66 Licence is to demonstrate underpinning knowledge and competence. There are three levels within the Part 66 Licence system: Category A: Category A is the basis for 'limited authorisations', allowing an experienced and knowledgeable mechanic to be authorised to certify certain simple inspections and routine tasks. Category B: Category B is the mainstay licence qualification for aircraft maintenance staff under EASA. Category B Licences are available in both mechanical and avionics disciplines: B1 mechanical (aircraft structure, powerplant and mechanical and electrical systems) B2 avionics (communications, navigation, radar, instrument and electrical systems) The wider privileges of the Category B Licence - and the role of the technician in defect diagnosis/rectification and system inspection - require a more in-depth knowledge of the aircraft than that of the Category A Licence holder. It requires a longer period of experience and examination at a higher level. Category C:The Category C Licence is related to the management of base maintenance (when an aircraft is stripped down to its fuselage). It does not allow the holder to perform detailed inspections, diagnosis and replacements which collectively make up the base maintenance input.

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During base maintenance, appropriately qualified B1 and B2 technicians will support the Category C certifier by: carrying out tasks; verifying that the work has been completed in accordance with the correct procedures; and certifying the work. Because the Category C Licence is intended to be used to certify the 'process of maintenance', the route to the qualification may be from either a mechanical or avionics background as a Category B1 or B2 Licence holder. An alternative qualification path is available based on qualification at degree level in an appropriate discipline acceptable to the Authority. Acceptance will take into consideration the university that issued the degree and the course content, and may be restricted to degrees within the EASA member states. The degree by itself does not meet the whole qualification, as there are additional experience requirements to be satisfied. For more detailed information on Licence types, module content and examinations, please visit the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) 1 (see Implementing Rules Part 66) and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) 2 websites.

How do I get a Licence?

There are two basic routes to obtaining a Part 66 Licence: self-study of the Part 66 modules; or a Part 147-approved training course. You can also view the different routes of study 3 (PDF) as a diagram. Self-study: This route requires you to study for the Part 66 examinations and take the examinations through the CAA or at a Part 147-approved organisation. There are a number of short courses available around the country, and some organisations offer online courses. If you are new to the industry and follow this route, you will need to gain five years' maintenance experience before you can apply to the CAA for a Category B Licence. Given that the examinations are only valid for five years (after which they have to be re-taken), this means you need to be in the industry gaining experience whilst studying. Given the pressures of work and lack of support, this route to a B Licence can take eight years. This may be the ideal route for you if you are already: working in the aircraft maintenance industry; or working on aircraft in the armed forces. However, if you were to enrol on the part-time Aircraft Engineering FdEng, you would receive the same support you would expect on a full-time course, and could also obtain a foundation degree with little extra work. You would then be eligible to enrol on the honours top-up, before you had obtained your B Licence.
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Part 147 course: This course takes two years. However, once completed you only need to obtain two years' maintenance experience before applying to the CAA for your B Licence. You will complete all of the Part 66 assessment as part of the course. Whilst doing the course you will also be completing a foundation degree which can be topped up to a BEng(Hons). When you are trying to get a job to obtain the required work experience, you are applying from a position of strength, having completed an industry-recognised course. Following this route, you could obtain a B Licence and a BEng(Hons) Aircraft Engineer, and have professional engineer status four years after starting. And if you wish, you could continue your studies by enrolling on the Aircraft Engineering MSc 4. What better start to a career? For more detailed information on how to obtain a Part 66 Licence please visit the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) 1 (see Implementing Rules - Part 66) and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) 2 websites.

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Related to this course: Aerospace Engineering BSc(Hons) 8 Aerospace Engineering MEng/BEng(Hons) 9 Aerospace Engineering, Astronautics & Space Technology MEng/BEng(Hons) 10 Engineering Foundation with pathways in Aerospace, Civil, Mechanical Engineering 11

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