A new self-study training and examination pathway commenced in August 2021.
It aligns to the Part 66 knowledge training syllabus and examination standards requirements found in the Part 66 Manual of Standards (MOS).
Self-study includes a practical assessment pathway, i.e. using the Part 66 basic practical experience logbook. This provides an alternative training option to achieve a Part 66 licence.
The pathway also enables aircraft maintenance engineers to do their training in a different way to the existing Part 147 maintenance training organisation (MTO) pathway.
Under this pathway, you will be able to get a licence by:Â
- passing theory exams, administered by us, that align to the 17 Part 66 basic knowledge modules.
You can self-study the syllabus from commercially available Part 66 textbooks - showing evidence of the required practical maintenance experience by submitting your Part 66 basic practical experience logbook to us.
See the acceptable means of compliance and guidance material (AMC/GM) for Part 66 Continuing Airworthiness - Aircraft Engineer Licences and Ratings.
Benefits
The new pathway introduces extra flexibility into the Australian aircraft maintenance licensing system. It improves accessibility of licence training for applicants who are:
- not located near a Part 147 MTO, or
- unable to be trained and assessed by a Part 147 MTO.
You must undertake Part 66 basic knowledge module exams for a particular category or subcategory of licence. This pathway allows you to meet this requirement in a more flexible way.
You can attend any of the designated exam sitting locations across the country when you are ready.
Basic knowledge modules
Module 1 – Mathematics
You must complete this module for all licences. It comprises 3 subjects:
- arithmetic
- algebra
- geometry.
Module 2 – Physics
You must complete this module for all licences. It comprises 5 subjects:
- matter
- mechanics
- thermodynamics
- optics (light)
- wave motion and sound.
Module 3 – Electrical fundamentals
You must complete this module for all licences. It comprises 18 subjects including:
- generation of electricity
- magnetism
- AC generators
- transformers
- AC motors.
The module provides a basis for the electrical modules required for the licence, especially for module 4.
Module 4 – Electronic fundamentals
You must complete this module for B1 and B2 licences only. It comprises 3 subjects:
- semiconductors
- printed circuit boards
- servomechanisms.
Module 5 – Digital techniques/electronic instrument systems
You must complete this module for all licences. It comprises 15 subjects, including:
- electronic instrument systems
- logic circuits
- fibre optics
- typical electronic/digital aircraft systems.
Module 6 - Materials and hardware
You must complete this module for all licences. It comprises 11 subjects, including:
- aircraft materials
- corrosion
- fasteners
- pipes and unions
- bearings
- transmissions.
Module 7 – Maintenance practices
You must complete this module for all licences. It comprises 20 subjects, including:
- safety precautions—aircraft and workshop
- workshop practices
- engineering standards
- assembly
- inspection and maintenance procedures.
Before commencing this module, prior knowledge of Module 6 will be an advantage.
Module 8 – Basic aerodynamics
You must complete this module for all licences. It comprises 4 subjects:
- physics of the atmosphere
- aerodynamics
- theory of Flight
- flight stability and dynamics.
Before commencing this module, prior knowledge of Module 2 would be an advantage.
Module 9 – Human factors
You must complete this module for all licences. It comprises 9 subjects, including:
- human performance
- social psychology
- communication
- hazards in the workplace.
Module 10 – Aviation legislation
You must complete this module for all licences. You can complete the module at any stage of your licence training. It comprises 7 subjects, including:
- regulatory framework
- Part 66 certifying staff
- approved maintenance organisations
- air operations
- certification of aircraft, parts and appliances
- continuing airworthiness
- applicable national and international requirements.
Module 11A - Turbine aeroplane aerodynamics, structures and systems
You must complete this module for a subcategory A1 and subcategory B1.1 licence. It comprises 21 subjects, including:
- theory of flight
- airframe structures
- air conditioning
- instruments
- electrical power
- lights
- on-board maintenance systems.
Before commencing this module, it may be an advantage to have completed the following:
- Module 2: physics
- Module 3: electrical fundamentals
- Module 5: digital techniques/electronic instrument displays
- Module 8: Basic Aerodynamics.
Module 11B - Piston aeroplane aerodynamics, structures and systems
You must complete this module for a subcategory A2 and subcategory B1.2 licence. It comprises 17 subjects, including:
- theory of flight
- airframe structures
- air conditioning
- instruments
- power
- lights
- on-board maintenance systems.
Before commencing this module, it may be an advantage to have completed the following:
- Module 2: physics
- Module 3: electrical fundamentals
- Module 5: digital techniques/electronic instrument displays
- Module 8: Basic Aerodynamics.
Module 12 – Helicopter aerodynamics, structures and systems
You must complete this module for subcategory A3, A4, B1.3 and B1.4 helicopter licences only. It comprises 19 subjects, including:
- theory of flight
- airframe structures
- air conditioning
- instruments
- power
- lights
- blade tracking.
Before commencing this module, it may be an advantage to have completed the following:
- Module 2: physics
- Module 3: electrical fundamentals
- Module 5: digital techniques/electronic instrument displays
- Module 8: Basic Aerodynamics.
Module 13 – Aircraft aerodynamics, structures and systems
You must complete this module for a category B2 licence. It comprises 22 subjects, including:
- theory of flight
- structures
- instruments
- power
- lights
- on-board maintenance systems.
Before commencing this module, it may be an advantage to have completed the following:
- Module 2: physics,
- Module 3: electrical fundamentals
- Module 5: digital techniques/electronic instrument displays
- Module 8: Basic Aerodynamics.
Module 14 – Propulsion
You must complete this module for a category B2 licence. It comprises 3 subjects:
- turbine engines
- engine indicating systems
- starting and ignition systems.
This module covers basic operation of:
- several types of gas turbine engine, and
- various indicating systems and their operation.
Module 15 – Gas turbine engines
This module is for maintenance engineers who are:
- working on gas turbine engine aircraft, and
- studying for a subcategory A1, A3, B1.1 or B1.3 licence.
It comprises 22 subjects, including:
- engine performance
- compressors
- combustion section
- turbine section
- fuel systems
- engine indicating systems
- auxiliary power units.
Module 16 – Piston engines
This module is for engineers who are:
- working on piston engine aircraft, and
- studying for a subcategory A2, A4, B1.2 or B1.4 licence.
It comprises 13 subjects, including:
- engine construction
- engine fuel systems
- supercharging and turbocharging
- engine indicating systems
- powerplant installation.
Module 17 – Propeller
This module is for engineers who are:
- working on gas turbine or piston engine aeroplanes, and
- studying for a subcategory A1, A2, B1.1 or B1.2 licence.
It comprises 7 subjects, including:
- propeller construction
- pitch control
- propeller maintenance.
Summary table
The table below summarises the modules you need to complete for a particular category or subcategory of licence (column headings):
| Module | A1 | A2 | A3 | A4 | B1.1 | B1.2 | B1.3 | B1.4 | B2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 3 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 4 | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 5 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 6 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 7 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 8 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 9 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 10 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 11A | Yes | - | - | - | Yes | - | - | - | - |
| 11B | - | Yes | - | - | - | Yes | - | - | - |
| 12 | - | - | Yes | Yes | - | - | Yes | Yes | - |
| 13 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes |
| 14 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes |
| 15 | Yes | Â | Yes | - | Yes | - | Yes | - | - |
| 16 | - | Yes | - | Yes | - | Yes | - | Yes | - |
| 17 | Yes | Yes | - | - | Yes | Yes | - | - | - |
Study material
You can purchase Part 66 study material (Modules 1-9 and 11-17) from websites stocking EASA Part 66 textbooks.
The AMC/GM for Part 66 lists some websites where you can purchase the Part 66 textbooks.
The module 10 study guide can be used by people who choose to self-study for a Part 66 aircraft engineer licence.
Exclusion removal
The new self-study training pathway currently does not cater for removal of exclusions from a Part 66 licence.
If you are seeking to remove exclusions from your licence, you should contact a Part 147 MTO.
The MTOs can provide tailored module exam outcomes. This allows you to only complete exams for subjects related to the excluded aircraft system you would like removed from your licence.
Practical experience requirements
If you are an aircraft maintenance engineer participating in the self-study training pathway, you will need to record your practical experience in the Part 66 basic practical experience logbook. This is how you will provide evidence for:
- Part 2 - Basic Skills Practical Experience (competencies)
- Part 3 - Practical Maintenance Experience (work experience on operational aircraft).
For more information, see the Part 66 logbook user guide.
Once completed, you must submit the logbook to us as a record of your practical maintenance experience.
Exams
Aspeq (our exam provider) is now taking bookings for the Part 66 basic knowledge module exams on behalf of us.
The self-study basic knowledge module exams are based on the current Part 66 knowledge training syllabus, not the previous CAR 31 CASA Basics training syllabus.
Under the self-study pathway, you will pay an examination fee to sit each module exam and essay assessment. The cost will correspond to the length of the exam sitting.
If you fail an exam, you can book and re-sit the exam 90 days after the original sitting date. See Appendix 2 of the Part 66 Manual of Standards for further information.
Visit the Aspeq website for more information on:
- how to book an exam
- what to do if you fail an exam
- exam fees
- exam schedules
- exam venues.