The CASA B3 AME licence
June 2008
CASA intends to issue the B3 NPRM by end of July 2008 for public consultation.
September 2007 progress report
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| Download the B3 licence September 2007 progress brochure (2.5Mb file) |
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is developing an aircraft maintenance engineer licence with specific application for small and non-complex aircraft. The B3 licence is meant for what is now commonly known as the general aviation and aerial work sectors.
CASA's Industry Sector Priorities and Classification of Civil Aviation Activities
Two industry/CASA teams have been formed to ensure an effective result. These include a core team to develop and recommend policy, and an extended team to ensure the suggested policy meets the current and future needs of these sectors of the aviation industry.
Core team - industry sector representatives
- Aircraft owners & pilots
- Large maintenance organisations
- Helicopter operations
- Aviation maintenance, repair & overhaul
- Aerial application operations
The core team also includes specialists in:
- Competencies and training
Extended team
- Aircraft Electronics Association
- Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association
- Australian Warbirds Association
- Department of Education, Science and Training
- Department of Transport and Regional Services
- Individual organisations
- Manufacturing Skills Australia
- Recreational Aviation Australia
- Regional Aviation Association of Australia
- Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia
- Sport Aircraft Association of Australia
B3 terms of reference
- Joint CASA/industry team covering regulator, maintenance providers and maintenance users
- Identify the maintenance training and licensing needs of the ‘small aircraft’ sectors of the Australian aviation industry
- Define attributes of the maintenance licensing system appropriate for the ‘small aircraft’ sectors of industry, with consideration of specific environmental and organisational issues
- Define the competency-based training requirements, including alternative competencies, which will lead to a licence
- Consider possible methods and systems to increase the availability and attractiveness of this career path
- Consider implementation needs and transition for new starters and existing licence holders
While undertaking this review the teams considered feedback from the Notice of Proposed Rule Making 0604MS of October 2006, Civil Aviation Order 100.66 and the following:
- A licensing result directly from training is needed and will need a group of non-discretionary subject matters to be completed by all
- Flexible training paths should be available to elect subjects for a B3 licensing result appropriate to a specific workplace
- The B3 licence result must align with the Australian Quality Training Framework qualifications
- Package needs additional training modules to allow a B3 licence holder to extend initial licence into further subject areas
- A B3 licence needs a clear path towards a B1 or B2 licence via subsequent training and/or assessment
- The B3 must fit with projected Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASR) Parts 66 and 147 using competency based training and assessment and work under the projected CASR Part 42 and applicable Parts of projected CASR Part 145
Good progress has been made to date and a concept for the licence has been adopted. This will allow a B3 apprentice and the employer to select a licence outcome, based on the specific training to be undertaken. This will be achieved by all apprentices doing a standard set of foundation units as well as selecting elective units.
Competencies & pathways
- Foundation units (common to all pathways)
- Electives
- schedule 8 maintenance
- licence modules (obligatory for a licence outcome)
- airframe
- rotary wing
- fixed wing
- surface finishing
- electrical and instrument (simple or advanced)
- engine
- pistons
- turbines
- radio (simple or advanced)
After four meetings with the two teams, the teams settled on a licence concept that:
- Is funded by the Department of Education, Science and Training
- Allows a person to sign for limited maintenance they have performed and release the aircraft to service
- Will allow useful specific scope within a licence to cover general aviation and aerial work needs
- Uses “building blocks” approach to achieve flexibility
The concept is explained in the B3 NPRM which will be issued shortly.
Contacts
For more information contact:
Mick English
Email:
mick.english@casa.gov.au
Nicholas Ward
Email: nicholas.ward@casa.gov.au