Part-66L Information
UK continuing airworthiness regulation requires BGA inspectors to hold a UK Part-66 licence with the correct category to certify a release to service for Part-21 sailplanes, powered sailplanes, TMGs and aeroplanes. There is no requirement to hold a Part66L licence to qualify as a BGA inspector – read more about becoming a BGA inspector here.
The following information is published to support BGA inspectors and potential BGA inspectors who choose to qualify for a Part66L licence.
Qualifying for an initial issue Part66L licence
The BGA has developed a compliant process that can lead to a BGA recommendation for Part66L licence issue by the CAA. The BGA CAO Part66L training process is detailed here.
In summary, the three headlines are:
1. Demonstrate by examination a level of knowledge in the appropriate subject modules in accordance with UK Regulation (EU) No 1321/2014. The examinations can be conducted by specifically authorised BGA invigilators.
Read more about the theoretical knowledge examinations here. Don’t forget that you can study for the multi-choice examinations and sit them in any order.
2. Have gained practical maintenance experience on operational aircraft in a form acceptable to the CAA and signed by an appropriate signatory. The experience needs to be carefully logged, ensuring that in each case there is enough detail for a CAA surveyor to identify the depth and scope of experience gained. A practical experience BGA logbook is available as a download here.
3. Submit a CAA application complete with an SRG 1029 recommendation certified by the BGA CTO and a covering letter from the applicant. The CAA online application is described here.
More about the Part66L examinations
Part66L licence holder recency
To use the licence privileges, Part66L licence holders need to be able to demonstrate, in the last 2 years, practical experience which includes a representative cross section of maintenance activities relevant to the licence.
‘A representative cross section of maintenance activities’ means a representative cross-section of the tasks listed in Appendix II to AMC to Annex III (Part-66) Aircraft Type Practical Experience and On-the-Job Training – List of Tasks. ‘Demonstrate’ means having a record, such as a logbook.
Adding a Part66L category
Some Part66L L1 qualified inspectors may wish to add L2 (powered sailplanes and ELA1 aeroplanes). They need to pass the 8L powerplant examination and have relevant experience. Please refer to Part66L theoretical knowledge examinations above.
Regarding experience, potential candidates are encouraged to contact the BGA CTO for guidance. His mobile phone number is available from the BGA office.
Renewing a Part66L licence
A Part66L licence is renewable by the CAA every five years. The BGA strongly recommends that Part66L licence holders do not allow their licence to lapse. A Part66L licence renewal application should be submitted to the CAA complete with payment by the licence holder as close to 60 days as possible prior to expiry (in exceptional circumstances, the 60 days can be extended to 120 days) with no loss of validity period.
Important note: Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome browsers work fine with the CAA website functionality including payment system. The Firefox browser does not.
Application to renew a Part66L licence is made direct to the CAA – read more here.
CAA’s charge for a Part66L licence is £435 (reference this ORS 5 Scheme of Charges Page 42). Note – HMRC allows tax relief on the cost of an aircraft maintenance licence renewal. Follow the links here.
BGA guidance re the CAA Part66L licence renewal procedure
The CAA online application process can be confusing. We offer the following guidance.
First create a CAA Portal account if you don’t already have one. Click here the the CAA portal webpage.
Once you have a CAA portal account in place, log in to the CAA Portal and in ‘your services’, click on ‘Aircraft Maintenance Licence Applications’ which opens the ‘Engineer Licence’ webpage.
Click on ‘All Applications’, then ‘Engineer Licence’, then ‘Apply for Engineer Licence’.
Complete the online form. We recommend you declare yourself as ‘self-employed’. The process may stop you applying if your expiry date is outside the CAA’s application timeline window, in which case you will need to go back and apply to renew at a future date.
You’ll need to submit identification. A selfie/photo of you holding up clearly visible photo ID such as a driving licence or passport is acceptable. If in doubt, read the CAA supplied instructions describing acceptable forms of ID.
The CAA fee is paid direct to the CAA as part of the online application process.
Part66L regulation
You can view the Part-66L regulation here.