10.2 Part 66 Certifying Staff I

• Detailed understanding of Part 66 of CASR 1998 is required (Level 2).

Key Terms

• Words and phrases maintain the meaning as defined in Part 66 of CASR 1998, unless specified otherwise in Part 66 MOS.
• The phrase carry out maintenance includes supervision and performance of physical maintenance tasks.

Avionic Line Replaceable Unit

• An Avionic Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) is an aircraft avionic part that has no mechanical input/output to another part/mechanism.
• It contains only electrical, electronic, instrument, or radio parts, or software designed for control, monitoring, or display functions.
• To install, secure or connect to the aircraft an LRU must not require specialist knowledge/techniques or specialised equipment.

Avionics System

• Designates an aircraft system as detailed in Table 1 of Part 66 MOS which transfers, processes, displays, or stores data (analogue or digital).
• This system includes components and connectors.
• Aut flight, communication and navigation, instruments, in-flight entertainment, integrated modular avionics (IMA), cabin, on-board maintenance, and information systems are examples of avionic systems.
• Also fly-by-wire systems per ATA Chapter 27, and fibre optic control systems.

Base Maintenance

• Within a Part 145 organization, it refers to aircraft maintenance approved by CASA in the Organization Exposition.

Electrical Systems

• Denotes the aircraft electrical power supply, distribution system, and relevant connectors.
• Electrical systems are specified in Table 1 of the Part 66 MOS.
• Some practices of working on cables and connectors are continuity, insulation, bonding techniques, crimping and testing, connector pin work, and wiring protection.

Lighting System

• Lighting systems are part of the electrical system

Line Maintenance

• Within a Part 145 organization, this refers to maintenance approved by CASA in the organization exposition.

Powerplant

• Refers to an aircraft engine.

Practical Consolidation Training

• Practical Consolidation Training (PCT) is a hands-on course conducted by a maintenance training organization, in accordance with Section 66.A.50 and Appendix III, and approved by CASA.
• CASA considers Advisory Circular 147-1 regarding best practices for PCT programs when approving a PCT course.

Rating

• An authorization granted under Regulation 66.080 or 66.095 to perform maintenance certification as a B1 or B2 licence holder, or to issue a certificate of release to service under a B1, B2, or C licence for a specific aircraft type regarding maintenance.

Recognition of Prior Learning

• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) validates prior knowledge or competency gained through theoretical or practical experience equivalent to required knowledge or competency.
• Under the MOS, RPL can be used for passing exams, demonstrating competency and meeting prerequisite qualifications.

Simple Test

• A simple test is described in approved maintenance data that has serviceability verified with standard aircraft controls, switches, Built-In Test Equipment (BITE), or external equipment.
• It gives a unique go/no-go indication, with results not requiring interpretation or considering interdependence.

Subsystem

• It is a system capable of functioning alone, forms part of a larger system, including electrical and instrument subsystems.
• Electrical subsystem include electrical parts, appliances and motors within mechanical, powerplant and structural systems.
• Instrument subsystem includes avionic systems within mechanical, powerplant and structural systems.

Troubleshooting

• Published fault isolation maintenance procedures and actions in maintenance data are used to find the cause of a defect/malfunction, including BITE or external test equipment.
• Troubleshooting may involve avionic LRU changes, not multiple changes unless following approved procedures like a Troubleshooting Manual.

Type-Rated Aircraft

• It is defined as a specific model of large aircraft with aircraft engine, such as an Airbus A310 with General Electric (GE) CF6 engines or a Boeing 747-400 with Rolls Royce (RR) RB211 engines.
• A non-rated aircraft is when a large aircraft is fitted with a particular engine, like a Pratt & Whitney Canada (PWC) PT6 or Honeywell TPE331.
• Small aircraft with a specific type of aircraft engine such as a PWC PT6 or Honeywell TPE331 can also be type-rated.

Type-Rated Aircraft Licence

• This licence is an aircraft engineer licence authorizing maintenance certification on specific, type-rated aircraft as specified in Part 66 MOS.
• Type-rated aircraft training prepares for the rating, delivered by a maintenance training organisation and approved by CASA

Large Aircraft

• Fixed-wing aircraft with a Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) exceeding 5700 kg.
• It can also be aircraft with MTOW not more than 5700 kg if it is specified in Part 42 MOS as a large aircraft.
• Rotary-wing aircraft (helicopters) with more than one engine are considered large.
• Helicopters with only one engine; and is of a type and model specified in the Part 42 MOS are considered a large aircraft

Small Aircraft

• A fixed-wing aircraft is considered "small" if it has a maximum take-off weight of 5700 kg, that is not specified as large in Part 42 MOS
• A rotary-wing aircraft is small if it has one engine and is not specified in Part 42 MOS as a large aircraft

Primary Category Aircraft

• Defined as aircraft identical to FAA primary category aircraft, with a simple design for pleasure/personal use.
• To be certified for primary category, the aircraft has to meet the description given in CASR 21.024.
• A qualified pilot-owner may perform preventive maintenance on Primary category aircraft, provided they are issued with special Certificate of Airworthiness.

Standard Category Aircraft

• Aircraft operating under a Standard Certificate of Airworthiness (CofA).
• A Standard CofA may be issued in the following categories: transport, normal, utility, aerobatic, commuter, manned free balloons and special class.

CASR Part 66

• CASR 1998 outlines regulations which are incorporated into Australian law and changed by an act of Parliament.
• CASR Part 66 deals with aircraft engineer licences, ratings, and maintenance certification, including issuing Certificates of Release to Service (CRSs) and empowering CASA to issue a MOS.
• A person providing maintenance certification or a certificate of release under CASR 1998 Part 42 needs certification authorisation from the Part 145 Approved Maintenance Organisation.

Part 66 MOS

• The legislative instrument, conforming to the Legislative Instruments Act 2003, for aircraft engineer licensing and privileges.
• The MOS supports CASR Part 66, issued and amended by CASA and implemented by the Director of Aviation Safety, containing technical details and specifications.
• A Manual of Standards (MOS) is often incorporated in the CASR by reference, which defines Manual or MOS by referring to a part of the CASR.
• Regulations always take precedence over the MOS if there is any conflict.

Acceptable Means of Compliance

• An Acceptable Means of Compliance (AMC) details how to fulfil CASR 1998 requirements for certifications, licenses, approvals, or authorizations, without mandatory compliance.
• Operators can propose alternative compliance methods, subject to CASA's assessment for authorization.

Guidance Material

• Guidance Material (GM) clarifies and explains a CASR policy without being a means of compliance, and should be read with the applicable CASR and AMCs.

Aircraft Engineer Licence

• Part 66 MOS has specifications for issuing aircraft engineer licenses in categories A, B1, B2 and C.

Licence Subcategories

• Categories A and B1 can be endorsed with maintenance subcategories for combinations of aeroplanes, helicopters, and turbine and piston engines.
• These are A1 and B1.1 aeroplane turbine, A2 and B1.2 aeroplane piston, A3 and B1.3 helicopter turbine and A4 and B1.4 helicopter piston.

Type Rating and Eligibility

• Type rating, endorsed onto B1, B2, or C licence, attained with theory and practical elements, and is also established with foreign authority approvals corresponding to the rating.
• Type ratings are required for aeroplanes of 5700 kg MTOW, multi-engine helicopters, aircraft approved by the CASA as listed in Appendix IX of Part 66 MOS.
• Type rating required for small aircraft or specific engines based on complexity, new technology, Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) recommendations.

Non-Type-Rated Aircraft

• Aircraft not requiring a type rating, are not in Appendix IX of Part 66 MOS, commonly covered by the B1 (B1.2 & B1.4) and B2 licences.

Aircraft Systems and Licence Categories

• Guidance Material (GM) to MOS 66.A.20 clarifies distinctions between aircraft systems, license conditions, and limitations per Table 1, designating systems as mechanical, powerplant, structural, electrical, or avionic.

Category A Licence Privileges

• A qualified Category A licence holder may perform maintenance and issue a CRS for the work if they carried out the maintenance, or the maintenance and its certification were carried out by another person holding a Category A licence.
• The maintenance, the maintenance being is line maintenance of a kind mentioned in Appendix II of the Part 145 MOS, and the aircraft being maintained is covered by the subcategory of licence held.
• The reference to maintenance doesn't include supervision of maintenance, or For a subcategory A1 licence, maintenance of a propeller-driven aeroplane unless the subcategory A1 licence holder holds a B1.1 subcategory endorsement or endorsed in the subcategory A1.

Category B1 Licence Privileges

• A category B1 licence enables maintenance certification if the holder carried out the work with the licence covering the system designated in Table 1 as structural, powerplant, mechanical, or electrical.
• Replacement of avionic line replaceable units (LRUs) requiring simple tests is permitted, unless stated otherwise.
• Software updates in avionics systems are included, assuming a discrete test facility is available, confirming success and system serviceability, with the support of simple tests.
• Tasks related to Category A licences mentioned in Appendix II of the Part 145 MOS, plus functional checks of avionics systems and troubleshooting using only simple tests, also counts.

Category B2 Licence Privileges

• A person holding a Category B2 licence may maintain and certify work on aircraft if they performed the work on avionic/electrical systems designated in Table 1, or instrumental / electrical component within structural, powerplant or mechanical systems.
• They may supervise maintenance certification if they hold appropriate aircraft type ratings.

Category C Licence Privileges

• A Category C licence holder can issue a CRS for base maintenance on a large aircraft when the tasks were done on a certain type of aircraft and the Category C holder’s licence approves the type.

Application for a Licence

• To apply for, or vary an aircraft engineer license, one must apply to CASA using CASA Form 540.
• The application must be written, specifying the licence being sought, accompanied by identification or evidence of qualifications/experience.
• Applications must detail the applicant’s training, attainments, qualifications and relevant experience.
• Applicants need to produce documents that show that the applicant has completeted training, qualifications and demonstrate their experience.
• To apply for a licence, applicants must pass module examinations that adhere to CASR Part 147.
• For subcategory A1 or B1.1, just pass module examinations needed for the rating.
• All CASR Part 66 modules must be passed within 10 years.

Grant of Licence

• Applicants must be able to read, write and speak so they perform safe maintenance and have a level of knowledge to comprehend technical instructions/manuals, write entries, maintenance procedures, and prevent misunderstanding when exercising certification privileges.
• They must declare any safety-relevant medical conditions.
• If licensed for more than 30 days, they need a certificate indicating that their condition does not impede their ability to perform privileges.