Become a licensed aircraft engineer

To get a Part 66 aircraft engineer licence

To get a Part 66 aircraft engineer licence, an applicant needs:

  1. Basic knowledge – (ref: 66.A.25 of 66 MOS)
  2. Basic experience – (ref: 66.A.30 of 66 MOS).

These result in a licence issued without any type ratings.

Where/how?

  • Part 147 MTO
    • undertake the Part 66 theory exams through the MTO applicable to the category of licence or
  • Part 66 self-study
  • self-study (using Part 66 textbooks), theoretical subjects applicable to the category of licence
  • undertake the exams through CASA’s contracted exam provider, applicable to the category of licence.

Where/how?

Duration depends on completed training:

  • completion of Part 147 approved training course – shortest timeframe
  • completion of relevant training as a skilled worker in a technical trade, or
  • if applicant has not undertaken any relevant technical training – longest timeframe
    • Part 147 MTO
      • undertake (VET) competency-based training applicable to the category of licence or
    • Part 66 self-study
      • complete practical experience logbook and submit with application to CASA.
  • Must be practical maintenance experience on operating aircraft and must be properly recorded
  • Recent experience in (sub)category needed, and
  • Could be civil/not civil experience, and
  • Must be representative cross-section of maintenance tasks, and
  • Must be properly recorded (for example experience logbook).

Apply to CASA (using the appropriate CASA form) for issue of a Part 66 licence without any type ratings.

To get an aircraft type rating on the licence

To get an aircraft type rating endorsed on the licence, an applicant needs:

  1. Type training (theoretical and practical) – (ref: 66.A.45(d) and 66.A.50 of 66 MOS), and
  2. On-the-job training (OJT) for the first type rating – (ref: 66.A.55 of 66 MOS),

This results in a type rating endorsed on the licence.

Where/how?

  • Via a Part 147 MTO:
    • undertake aircraft type training (theoretical and practical) for specific aircraft type
    • Type - (theory) examination, and
    • Type - practical experience (hands-on), and
    • must be representative cross-section of maintenance tasks, and Type – (practical) assessment.

Where/how?

  • In Part 147 MTO or Part 145 AMO (approved to undertake such training)
  • Completion of OJT training in addition to POC
  • Must be cover a cross-section of maintenance tasks representative of the aircraft and systems (both complex and simple tasks)
  • Must be signed off by workplace supervisor or assessor
  • must be properly recorded (for example practical experience logbook).

Apply to CASA (using the appropriate CASA form) for issue of a type rating endorsement on a licence.

To get a Part 66 aircraft engineer ‘modular’ licence

To get a Part 66 'modular' aircraft engineer licence, or an extension of privileges on the modular licence, an applicant needs:

  • Basic knowledge – (ref: 66.A.25 and Appendix 1 of Part 66 MOS)
  • Basic experience – (ref: 66.A.30 of Part 66 MOS)
  • Resulting in a licence issued without any type ratings.

Depending on the licence category sought there are modular licensing pathways available.

You can see examples of a typical career pathway on our Part 66 modular aircraft engineer licence page.

Training and examination pathways

There are 2 training pathways you can choose from to qualify for a Part 66 licence or modular licence.

Part 147 Maintenance Training Organisation (MTO) pathway

This pathway involves:

  • formalised licence category training and examination, and
  • assessment of practical experience.

A Part 147 MTO may be approved by us to deliver full licence category training, modular licence category training and aircraft type training.

If you choose to undertake your licence category training through this pathway, you will enrol as a student at one of the CASA approved Part 147 MTOs. You also must study under the Australian Vocational Education and Training (VET) system to gain one of the relevant qualifications:

  • For a Category A licence — Certificate II in Aircraft Line Maintenance.
  • For a Category B1 or B2 licence — Diploma of Aeroskills (Mechanical or Avionics).

You will also undertake an examination against the Part 66 basic knowledge module requirements for the category of licence or modular licence you want to achieve.

Training through this pathway may attract State Government subsidies.

Part 66 self-study training and examination pathway

This pathway caters for full licence category or modular licence category training under our Part 66 self-study training and examination pathway. You will:

  • complete relevant Part 66 (basic knowledge module) exams, and
  • submit the relevant practical experience logbook to us.

This pathway introduces extra flexibility into the Australian aircraft engineer licensing system. It improves accessibility of training for applicants who are:

  • not located near a Part 147 MTO
  • not able to train and be assessed by a Part 147 MTO.

If you choose the self-study pathway, you will use Part 66 textbooks to study at your own pace. This pathway allows you to meet the requirements of a full licence or modular licence in a more flexible way.

Modular licensing for aircraft engineers

We have introduced a flexible option for you to get your aircraft engineer licence.

This option allows you to:

  • choose what you want to study – for example, airframes, powerplants, electrical, instrument or radio systems
  • get a licence sooner with exclusions (limitations)
  • add to the scope of your licence (remove the exclusions) as you get more experience and, where applicable, pass further examinations.

For more information, see the modular licensing page.

Study material

You can purchase electronic and hard-copy publications of EASA Part 66 textbooks (Modules 1-9 and 11-17).

The Part 66 Acceptable Means of Compliance and Guidance Material lists some websites where you can purchase the textbooks.

You can use the module 10 study guide if you choose to self-study for a Part 66 aircraft engineer licence or modular licence.

Practical experience requirements

If you are using the self-study training pathway to:

  • qualify for an initial Part 66 licence, or modular licence
  • add a category or subcategory to an existing licence
  • expand the scope of privileges on your modular licence

you will need to record your practical experience in one of our Part 66 basic practical experience logbooks.

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Related content

Related rules and publications

Last updated:
13 Dec 2023
Online version available at: https://www.casa.gov.au//licences-and-certificates/maintenance-engineers/become-licensed-aircraft-engineer
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