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Endorsement with aircraft ratings

66.A.45

66.A.45(a) Endorsement with aircraft ratings

In order to be entitled to exercise certification privileges on a specific aircraft type, the holder of an aircraft maintenance licence needs to have their licence endorsed with the relevant aircraft ratings:

— For category B1, B2 or C, the relevant aircraft ratings are the following:
(i) for Group 1 aircraft, the appropriate aircraft type rating;
(ii) for Group 2 aircraft, the appropriate aircraft type rating, manufacturer subgroup rating or full subgroup rating;
(iii) for Group 3 aircraft, the appropriate aircraft type rating or full group rating;
(iv) for Group 4 aircraft, for the category B2 licence, the full group rating.

— For category B2L, the relevant aircraft ratings are the following:
(i) for Group 2 aircraft, the appropriate manufacturer subgroup rating or full subgroup rating;
(ii) for Group 3 aircraft, the full group rating;
(iii) for Group 4 aircraft, the full group rating.

— For category B3, the relevant rating is ‘piston-engine non-pressurised aeroplanes of 2 000 kg MTOM and below’.

— For category L, the relevant aircraft ratings are the following:
(i) for subcategory L1C, the rating ‘composite sailplanes’;
(ii) for subcategory L1, the rating ‘sailplanes’;
(iii) for subcategory L2C, the rating ‘composite powered sailplanes and composite ELA1 aeroplanes’;
(iv) for subcategory L2, the rating ‘powered sailplanes and ELA1 aeroplanes’;
(v) for subcategory L3H, the rating ‘hot-air balloons’;
(vi) for subcategory L3G, the rating ‘gas balloons’
(vii) for subcategory L4H, the rating ‘hot-air airships’;
(viii) for subcategory L4G, the rating ‘ELA2 gas airships’;
(ix) for subcategory L5, the appropriate airship type rating.

— For category A, no rating is required, subject to compliance with the requirements of point 145.A.35 of Annex II (Part-145).

66.A.45(b) Aircraft type rating endorsement

The endorsement of aircraft type ratings requires the satisfactory completion of one of the following:

— the relevant category B1, B2 or C aircraft type training in accordance with Appendix III to Annex III (Part-66);
— in the case of gas airship type ratings on a B2 or L5 licence, a type training approved by the competent authority in accordance with point 66.B.130.

GM 66.A.45(b) Endorsement with aircraft ratings

An aircraft type rating includes all the aircraft models/variants listed in column 2 of Appendix I to AMC to Part-66.
When a person already holds a type rating on the licence and such type rating is amended in the Appendix I to AMC to Part-66 in order to include additional models/variants, there is no need for additional type training for the purpose of amending the type rating in the licence. The rating should be amended to include the new variants, upon request by the applicant, without additional requirements. However, it is the responsibility of the licence holder and, if applicable, the maintenance organisation where he/she is employed to comply with 66.A.20(b)3, 145.A.35(a), M.A.607(a), and CAO.A.040 as applicable, before he/she exercises certification privileges.
Similarly, type training courses covering certain, but not all the models/variants included in a type rating, are valid for the purpose of endorsing the full type rating.

66.A.45(c) On-the-job training (OJT)

For other than category C licences, in addition to the requirements of point (b), the endorsement of the first aircraft type rating within a given category/subcategory requires satisfactory completion of the corresponding on-the-job training. This on-the-job training shall comply with Appendix III to Annex III (Part-66), except in the case of gas airships, where it shall be directly approved by the competent authority.

66.A.45(d) Group 2, Group 3 endorsement

By derogation from points (b) and (c), for Group 2 and 3 aircraft, aircraft type ratings may also be endorsed on a licence after completing the following steps:

— satisfactory completion of the relevant category B1, B2 or C aircraft type examination in accordance with Appendix III to this Annex (Part-66);
— in the case of B1 and B2 category, demonstration of practical experience in the aircraft type. In that case, the practical experience shall include a representative cross section of maintenance activities relevant to the licence category.

In the case of a category C rating, for a person qualified through the academic route as referred to in point (a)(5) of point 66.A.30, the first relevant aircraft type examination shall be at the category B1 or B2 level.

66.A.45(e) Group 2 aircraft endorsement

For Group 2 aircraft:

(i) the endorsement of manufacturer subgroup ratings for category B1 and C licence holders requires complying with the aircraft type rating requirements for at least two aircraft types from the same manufacturer, which combined are representative of the applicable manufacturer subgroup;

(ii) the endorsement of full subgroup ratings for category B1 and C licence holders requires complying with the aircraft type rating requirements for at least three aircraft types from different manufacturers, which combined are representative of the applicable subgroup;

(iii) the endorsement of manufacturer subgroup and full subgroup ratings for category B2 and B2L licence holders requires demonstration of practical experience which shall include a representative cross section of maintenance activities relevant to the licence category and to the applicable aircraft subgroup and, in the case of the B2L licence, relevant to the applicable system rating(s);

(iv) by derogation from point (e)(iii), the holder of a B2 or B2L licence, endorsed with a full subgroup 2b, is entitled to be endorsed with a full subgroup 2c.

AMC 66.A.45(e) Endorsement with aircraft ratings

1. For the granting of manufacturer subgroup ratings for Group 2 aircraft, for B1 and C licence holders, the sentence ‘at least two aircraft types from the same manufacturer which combined are representative of the applicable manufacturer subgroup’ means that the selected aircraft types should cover the technologies relevant to the manufacturer subgroup in the following areas:

— Flight control systems (mechanical controls/hydromechanically powered controls / electromechanically powered controls); and
— Avionic systems (analogue systems / digital systems); and
— Structure (manufactured of metal / composite / wood).

In cases where there are very different aircraft types within the same manufacturer subgroup, it may be necessary to cover more than two aircraft types to ensure adequate representation.
For this purpose it may be possible to use aircraft types from the same manufacturer classified in Group 1 as long as the selected aircraft belong to the same licence subcategory for which the rating will be endorsed.

2. For the granting of full subgroup ratings for Group 2 aircraft, for B1 and C licence holders, the sentence ‘at least three aircraft types from different manufacturers which combined are representative of the applicable subgroup’ means that the selected aircraft types should cover all the technologies relevant to the manufacturer subgroup in the following areas:

— Flight control systems (mechanical controls/hydromechanically powered controls / electromechanically powered controls); and
— Avionic systems (analogue systems / digital systems); and
— Structure (manufactured of metal / composite / wood).

In cases where there are very different aircraft types within the same subgroup, it may be necessary to cover more than three aircraft types to ensure adequate representation.
For this purpose it may be possible to use aircraft types from different manufacturers classified in Group 1 as long as the selected aircraft belong to the same licence subcategory for which the rating will be endorsed.

3. For manufacturer subgroup ratings, the term ‘manufacturer’ means the TC holder defined in the certification data sheet, which is reflected in the list of type ratings in Appendix I to AMC to Part-66.

In the case of an aircraft rating where the type rating refers to a TC holder made of a combination of two manufacturers which produce a similar aircraft (i.e. AGUSTA / BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON or any case of aircraft similarly built by another manufacturer) this combination should be considered as one manufacturer.
As a consequence:

— When a licence holder gets a manufacturer type or a manufacturer subgroup rating made of a combination of manufacturers, it covers the combination of such manufacturers.
— When a licence holder who intends to endorse a full subgroup rating selects three aircraft from different manufacturers, this means from different combinations of manufacturers as applicable.

66.A.45(f) Group 3 and Group 4 aircraft endorsement

For Group 3 and 4 aircraft:

(i) the endorsement of the full Group 3 rating for category B1, B2, B2L and C licence holders and the endorsement of the full Group 4 rating for B2 and B2L licence holders require demonstration of practical experience, which shall include a representative cross section of maintenance activities relevant to the licence category and to Group 3 or 4, as applicable;

(ii) for category B1, unless the applicant provides evidence of appropriate experience, Group 3 rating shall be subject to the following limitations, which shall be endorsed on the licence:

— pressurised aeroplanes,
— metal-structure aeroplanes,
— composite-structure aeroplanes,
— wooden-structure aeroplanes,
— aeroplanes with metal-tubing structure covered with fabric;

(iii) by derogation from point (f)(i), the holder of a B2L licence, endorsed with a full subgroup 2a or 2b, is entitled to be endorsed with Groups 3 and 4.

66.A.45(g) B3 endorsement

For the B3 licence:

(i) the endorsement of the rating ‘piston engine non-pressurised aeroplanes of 2 000 kg MTOM and below’ requires demonstration of practical experience, which shall include a representative cross section of maintenance activities relevant to the licence category;

(ii) unless the applicant provides evidence of appropriate experience, the rating referred to in point (i) shall be subject to the following limitations, which shall be endorsed on the licence:

— wooden-structure aeroplanes,
— aeroplanes with metal-tubing structure covered with fabric,
— metal-structure aeroplanes,
— composite-structure aeroplanes.

66.A.45(h) L licence

For all L licence subcategories, other than L5:

(i) the endorsement of ratings requires demonstration of practical experience which shall include a representative cross section of maintenance activities relevant to the licence subcategory;

(ii) unless the applicant provides evidence of appropriate experience, the ratings shall be subject to the following limitations, which shall be endorsed on the licence:

(1) for ratings ‘sailplanes’ and ‘powered sailplanes and ELA1 aeroplanes’:

— wooden-structure aircraft covered with fabric,
— aircraft with metal-tubing structure covered with fabric,
— metal-structure aircraft,
— composite-structure aircraft,

(2) for the rating ‘gas balloons’:

— other than ELA1 gas balloons; and

(3) if the applicant has only provided evidence of one-year experience in accordance with the derogation contained in point 66.A.30(a)(2b)(ii), the following limitation shall be endorsed on the licence:

‘complex maintenance tasks provided for in Appendix VII to Annex I (Part-M), standard changes provided for in point 21.A.90B of Annex I (Part-21) to Regulation (EU) No 748/2012 and standard repairs provided for in point 21.A.431B of Annex I (Part-21) to Regulation (EU) No 748/2012.’

The holder of an aircraft maintenance licence in subcategory B1.2 endorsed with the Group 3 rating, or in category B3 endorsed with the rating ‘piston engine non-pressurised aeroplanes of 2 000 kg MTOM and below’, is deemed to meet the requirements for the issuance of a licence in subcategories L1 and L2 with the corresponding full ratings and with the same limitations as the B1.2/B3 licence held.

GM 66.A.45(h)2 Endorsement with aircraft ratings

For subcategories L1 and L2, it is possible to endorse the corresponding ratings with limitations depending on the type of structures covered by the experience gained.

For subcategory L3G, it is possible to endorse the rating ‘gas balloons’ with a limitation to ‘other than ELA1 gas balloons’ if the experience gained only covers ELA1 gas balloons.

However, no limitations are possible for the subcategories L1C, L2C, L3H, L4H and L4G. The ratings on these licences can only be obtained after demonstration of the appropriate experience representative of the full scope of the licence subcategory.

GM 66.A.45 Aircraft rating requirements

The following table shows a summary of the aircraft rating requirements contained in 66.A.45, 66.A.50 and Appendix III to Part-66.

The table contains the following:


— The different aircraft groups.
— For each licence (sub)category, which ratings are possible (at the choice of the applicant):
— Individual type ratings.
— Full and/or Manufacturer (sub)group ratings
— For each rating option, which are the qualification options.
— For the B1.2 licence (Group 3 aircraft), the B3 licence (piston-engine non-pressurised aeroplanes of 2 000 kg MTOM and below) and the L licences, which are the possible limitations and ratings to be included in the licence if not sufficient experience can be demonstrated in those areas.


Note: OJT means ‘On-the-Job Training’ (Appendix III to Part-66, Section 6) and is only required for the first aircraft rating in the licence (sub)category.

AircraftB1/B3/L LicenceB2/B2L LicenceC Licence
Group 1 aircraft, except airships

– Complex motor-powered aircraft.
– Multiple engine helicopters.
– Aeroplanes certified above FL290.
– Aircraft equipped with fly-by-wire.
– Other aircraft when defined by the Agency.
(For B1)

Individual TYPE RATING

Type training:
– Theory + examination
– Practical + assessment
PLUS
OJT (for first aircraft in licence subcategory)
(For B2)

Individual TYPE RATING

Type training:
– Theory + examination
– Practical + assessment
PLUS
OJT (for first aircraft in licence subcategory)
Individual TYPE RATING

Type training:
– Theory + examination
Group 1 airships(For L5 licence)
Individual TYPE RATING
Type training:
– Theory + examination
– Practical + assessment PLUS OJT (for first aircraft in licence subcategory)
(For B2)
Individual TYPE RATING
Type training:
– Theory + examination
– Practical + assessment PLUS OJT (for first aircraft in licence subcategory)
Not applicable
Group 2 aircraft
Subgroups:
2a: single turboprop aeroplanes (*)
2b: single turbine engine helicopters (*)
2c: single piston engine helicopters (*)
(*) Except those classified in Group 1.
(For B1.1, B1.3, B1.4)
Individual TYPE RATING
(type training + OJT) or (type examination + practical experience)

Full SUBGROUP RATING
(type training + OJT) or (type examination + practical experience) on at least 3 aircraft representative of that subgroup

Manufacturer SUBGROUP RATING
(type training + OJT) or (type examination + practical experience) on at least 2 aircraft representative of that manufacturer subgroup
(For B2)
Individual TYPE RATING
(type training + OJT) or (type examination + practical experience)
(For B2 and B2L)
Full SUBGROUP RATING
based on demonstration of practical experience

Manufacturer SUBGROUP RATING based on demonstration of practical experience
Individual TYPE RATING
type training or type examination

Full SUBGROUP RATING
type training or type examination on at least 3 aircraft representative of that subgroup

Manufacturer SUBGROUP RATING
type training or type examination on at least 2 aircraft representative of that manufacturer subgroup
Group 3 aircraft
Piston engine aeroplanes (except those classified in Group 1)
(For B1.2)
Individual TYPE RATING
(type training + OJT) or (type examination + practical experience)

Full GROUP 3 RATING
based on demonstration of practical experience
Limitations:
– Pressurized aeroplanes
– Metal aeroplanes
– Composite aeroplanes
– Wooden aeroplanes
– Metal tubing & fabric Aeroplanes
(For B2)
Individual TYPE RATING
(type training + OJT) or (type examination + practical experience)

(For B2 and B2L) Full GROUP 3 RATING
based on demonstration of appropriate experience
Individual TYPE RATING
type training or type examination

Full GROUP 3 RATING based on demonstration of practical experience
Piston-engine non-pressurised aeroplanes of 2 000 kg MTOM and below(For B3)
FULL RATING
“Piston-engine non-pressurised aeroplanes of 2 000 kg MTOM and below”
based on demonstration of practical experience
Limitations:
– Metal aeroplanes
– Composite aeroplanes
– Wooden aeroplanes
– Metal tubing & fabric aeroplanes
This rating cannot be endorsed on a B2/B2L licence. These aircraft are already covered by the endorsement of ratings for Group 3 aircraft (see box above)This rating cannot be endorsed on a C licence. These aircraft are already covered by the endorsement of ratings for Group 3 aircraft (see box above)
Group 4 aircraft: Sailplanes, powered sailplanes, balloons and airships other than those in Group 1(For all L subcategories, except L5)
− For L1C: ‘composite sailplanes’ rating,
− For L1: ‘sailplanes’ rating,
− For L2C: ‘composite powered sailplanes and composite ELA1 aeroplanes’ rating,
− For L2: ‘powered sailplanes and ELA1 aeroplanes’ rating,
− For L3H: ‘hot-air balloons’ rating,
− For L3G: ‘gas balloons’ rating,
− For L4H: ‘hot-air airships’ rating,
− For L4G: ‘ELA2 gas airships’ rating, all based on demonstration of practical experience Limitations: see 66.A.45(h)
(For B2 and B2L)
Full GROUP 4 RATING
based on demonstration of practical experience
Not applicable
Aircraft rating requirements

AMC 66.A.45(d);(e)3;(f)1;(g)1;(h) Endorsement with aircraft ratings

1. The ‘practical experience’ should cover a representative cross section including at least:

— for categories B1, B2, B2L and B3: 50 % of the tasks contained in Appendix II to the AMC relevant to the licence category and to the applicable aircraft type ratings or aircraft (sub)group ratings being endorsed;
— for category L:
— in the subcategories L1, L1C, L2 or L2C: 50 % as in the paragraph related to B1, B2, B2L or B3;
— in the subcategories L3H and L3G for ‘Balloons’ or L4H, L4G and L5 for ‘Airships’, 80 % of the tasks should be demonstrated, and should include the tasks identified with an asterisk (*) in the Appendix;

This experience should cover tasks from each paragraph of the Appendix II list. Other tasks than those in the Appendix II may be considered as a replacement when they are relevant. In the case of (sub)group ratings, this experience may be shown by covering one or several aircraft types of the applicable (sub)group and may include experience on aircraft classified in group 1, 2 and/or 3 as long as the experience is relevant. The practical experience should be obtained under the supervision of authorised certifying staff.

2. In the case of endorsement of individual type ratings for Group 2 and Group 3 aircraft, for the second aircraft type of each manufacturer (sub)group the practical experience should be reduced to 30% of the tasks contained in Appendix II to AMC relevant to the licence category and to the applicable aircraft type. For subsequent aircraft types of each manufacturer (sub) group this should be reduced to 20%.

3. Practical experience should be demonstrated by the submission of records or a log book showing the Appendix II tasks performed by the applicant. Typical data to be recorded are similar to those described in AMC 66.A.20(b)2.

Updated on 11/06/2021

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