CAO 100.66
Maintenance authorities — EASA equivalents

What CAO 100.66 does

The new CAO offers the option for Australian aircraft maintenence personnel to obtain authority categories and type ratings based on the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) categories – A, B1 and B2.

It also involves recognition of specifically approved maintenance training organisations operating under detailed, self-prepared, expositions setting out their training objectives, resources and capabilities.

Eventually these licences and approvals will come under CASR Parts 66 and 147 respectively. CAO 100.66 provides access to the new licence categories in advance of that legislation.

There is no requirement to transfer to the new licence categories. These new licences are available in parallel with the current licence structure. They are simply being made available for those organisations or individuals who can benefit from them.

A CAO 100.66 Maintenance Authority holder with the categories B1 or B2 is authorised to sign Certificates of Release to service for aircraft which are not type rated (Aircraft 5700 MTOW and below and single engined helicopters). The holding of a CAO 100.66 'category' replaces the need to hold CAR31 lower groups.

The new licence structure

The EASA style licences are issued as Maintenance Authorities (MA). This was seen as the best way of delivering EASA licence outcomes using the existing CAR 1988 regulatory structure.

It is possible for a LAME to hold both a CAR 31 licence and an MA.

CAO 100.66 provides that an MA may be issued for 1 or more of the following categories or subcategories:

  • Category A
    • A1 – turbine engined aeroplanes
    • A2 – piston engined aeroplanes
    • A3 – turbine engined helicopter
    • A4 – piston engined helicopters
  • Category B1
    • B1.1 – turbine engined aeroplanes
    • B1.2 – piston engined aeroplanes
    • B1.3 – turbine engined helicopter
    • B1.4 – piston engined helicopters
  • Category B2
    • B2 - aircraft (aeroplanes and helicopters)

Privileges of category A

The holder of an authority in subcategory A1, A2, A3 or A4 who has been type and task trained and then authorised by the CAR 30 organisation maintaining the aircraft, may issue a certificate of release to service for a class A aircraft and certain class B aircraft following completion of specific and limited maintenance activities mentioned in CAO 100.66 Appendix 1. These authorities are not endorsed with specific aircraft type ratings by CASA.

Privileges of category B1

The holder of an authority in subcategory B1.1, B1.2, B1.3, or B1.4 may issue a certificate of release to service after completion of maintenance on aircraft structure, powerplant, mechanical and electrical systems including replacement of avionic line replaceable units whose correct functioning and serviceability can be demonstrated by use of an operational check, built-in test equipment or the aircraft’s central maintenance system. They may undertake any work in the subcategory of Category A that applies to the holder. He or she may supervise others and requires a rating for type-rated aircraft.

Privileges of a limited category B1

A limited B1 category can also be issued to B2 holders. This limited B1 category allows instrument and electrical priviledges in mechanical, powerplant and structural systems.

A letter has been sent to all B2 and quality assurance managers for all organisations, explaining the use of the limited B1 category to provide electrical and instrument CRS scope in mechanical, powerplant and structural systems for category B2 authority holders.

Privileges of category B2

The holder of an authority in Category B2 may issue a certificate of release to service following completion of maintenance on avionic or electrical systems. He or she may supervise others and requires a rating for type-rated aircraft.

Privileges of category B3

The holder of a B3 licence may issue a certificate of release to service for all small aircraft types which are covered by the scope of the licence sub-categories and extensions held (i.e. a B3.2 licence holder may issue CRS for all retractable aircraft below 5700Kg MTOW)

A B3 licence holder may supervise others and may hold turbo-propeller and turboshaft engine type ratings.

General details about the CASA B3 Licence.

General details of the B3 licence proposal for 'General Aviation' can be found in NPRM0604MS and on the B3 progress page.

Privileges of category C

Category C licences are for large (type rated) aircraft when in base maintenance. They permit the holder to issue the certificate of release to service of an aircraft following base maintenance.

Category C licences will not be introduced until CASR Part 66 takes effect.

Type-rated aircraft

Type-rated aircraft include:

  • large aircraft – aeroplanes over 5 700 kg, and helicopters that are multi-engined;
  • complex aircraft – one that CASA considers is such and lists in an Airworthiness Advisory Circular; and
  • certain other aircraft – those for which CASA considers that type training would enhance safety, taking into account issues such as complexity, new technology, ATSB recommendations or other safety issues

Certificate of release to service

Under CAO 100.66, a certificate of release to service has the same meaning as certification of completion of maintenance under the current CARs.

How to start using CAO 100.66

If you are an employee or organisation and believe that the new licence structure will benefit you: If you are a training organisation and want to gain approval as a Recognised Organisation to issue the new licences:

The requirements of an EASA-like MA are both different and greater in some areas than an existing licence issued under CAR 31. Therefore an applicant for a category or subcategory (B1, B2 or A(1-4)) needs to have these differences in training identified via a process of recognition of prior learning by an RO delivering category training.

The RO will be able to advise you of the training you are required to undertake and apply recognition of prior learning which will give you advanced standing against some or all of the required training. You will be required to satisfy the additional training requirements required for the category of MA you intend applying for and on completion will be provided with a notification of training outcomes by the RO.

Once you have achieved the competencies required for the category, you can apply to CASA for that category using CASA Form 464 and the Form 465 Notification to CASA of Training Outcome(s) [given to you by the RO].

The next steps

CASA will continue to work on introduction of the CASR maintenance regulations:

  • CASR Part 42 – Continuing airworthiness
  • CASR Part 66 – Maintenance personnel licensing
  • CASR Part 145 – Maintenance organisations (including Subpart F - Small maintenance organisations)
  • CASR Part 147 – Maintenance training organisations

It is anticipated that those individuals that have transitioned under CAO 100.66 will transfer seamlessly to a CASR Part 66 licence. The transfer will be carried out by CASA without the need for any applications.

For more information on the new legislation

Contact details

CASA has established a dedicated work group to process category A, B1 and B2 maintenance authorities.

Email: mrt.100.66@casa.gov.au

Phone: 02 6217 1660

Fax: 02 6217 1443

Mail: Maintenance Regulations Team, GPO Box 2005, Canberra ACT 2601

 
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