CASA last Monday introduced a modular Part 66 licence that it believes will get new LAMEs into the workforce faster.
The licence will come with limitations that prevent the applicant from working in areas they haven't studied and been qualified for. The limitations may be lifted after the applicant gains experience and passes further exams.
CASA Director of Aviation Safety and CEO Pip Spence believes the modular licence will go a long way to solving the engineer shortage in the general aviation industry.
"Changes to the Part 66 of the Civil Aviation Safety Rules (CASRs) Manual of Standards allow engineers to obtain a licence with limitations once they have completed the core subjects so they can work sooner in specific areas such as piston engines," she said.
"If they choose to, they can go on to obtain a full category licence by building up experience and passing any necessary exams to remove the limitations over time.
"We hope this will encourage young people to take up this essential aviation occupation. It will also help to make the transition easier for people from overseas who want to work in Australia, and those returning to the profession after a long break.
"... I would like to acknowledge the feedback from industry and the efforts of the Part 66 technical working group in helping realise this General Aviation Workplan initiative as well as the commitment of all those in CASA who made this happen."
Licence options for new engineers under the modular system are:
Category B1
- aeroplane airframes only
- helicopter airframes only
- powerplant piston engines only
- powerplant turbine engines only
- electrical / instrument systems extension.
Category B2
- electrical systems only
- instrument systems only
- radio systems only.
Consultation on the modular licence was open from 14 September to 12 October, with CASA reporting most respondents generally supported the modular concept, although concerns have been raised about compatibility with EASA and whether or not the current training pathways such as VET can support a modular licence.
More information on how the modular Part 66 licence works is on the CASA website.