Update to UK Regulation (EU) No. 1321/2014 Continuing Airworthiness

Overview

The UK Regulation (EU) No. 1321/2014 Continuing Airworthiness requirements for maintenance licences and training organisations require updating to reflect technological development and changing industry needs.

This proposal includes amendments predominantly to Annex III (Part-66) and Annex IV (Part-147) and corresponding changes to Annex I (Part-M), Annex II (Part-145), Annex Vb (Part-ML) and Annex Vd (Part-CAO).

The areas for proposed changes are as follows:

1.       New training methods, teaching technologies, propulsion technologies and other improvements to Part-147 and Part-66, to include:

•         Enhanced efficiency of maintenance personnel training with new training methods (distance synchronous learning) and new teaching technologies (multimedia-based training, synthetic and interactive training devices) that are being utilised by training organisations.

•         A type rating endorsement when there are no longer Part-147 approved organisations offering type training on ageing aircraft that are no longer in production.

•         Updates to the basic knowledge training syllabus in Part-66 to reflect new technologies such as electric powerplants.

•         Introduction of electric powerplant requirements to enable UK licenced engineers to certify electric powered aircraft. This will open the opportunity for Electric VTOL aircraft as introduced under Rulemaking task 0158.

•         Enhanced efficiency of the On-the-Job Training (OJT) required for the first type rating endorsement in the maintenance licence category.

•         Further updates and clarifications, such as errors in module levels, required as Part-147 and Part-66 have not been subject to a substantive amendment since its adoption in 2003. Module levels are also updated to reflect changes in technology on aircraft and to allow for easier transition between licence (sub)category(ies).

•         Moving some details of the syllabus to be Acceptable Means of Compliance.

2.       For Part 147 specifically:

•         Optimise the structure of the basic knowledge syllabus together with training courses and examinations. This may include combining and updating modules to reflect the latest developments in areas such as Safety Management, Human Factors, Aviation Legislation, Aeroplane Aerodynamics, Structures and Systems, Electronic Fundamentals.

•         Review English language proficiency requirements.

•         Review mechanisms to reduce cheating during exams, markedly the security of the exam, the exam question database and conduct of exams outside of MTO approved locations and other fraudulent activity.

3.       Annex I (Part-M), Annex II (Part-145), Annex Vb (Part-ML) and Annex Vd (Part-CAO) are updated to correspond to the above changes.

The AMC and GM associated with these amendments will be consulted on separately.

Why your views matter

It is important to the CAA that everyone has an opportunity to voice their opinion on matters that could affect them. There is also a legal requirement to consult when creating or amending regulations. For these reasons, we are asking for comments on these proposed changes.

We welcome comments from every sector of the community. This includes the general public, government agencies and all sectors of the aviation industry, whether as an engineer, aviation consumer and/or provider of related products and services.