Ingenieur Vol.81 January-March 2020 | Page 14

INGENIEUR 1. Category “A” – aircraft maintenance technician licence with limited certification privileges under the current Malaysian Civil Aviation Regulations (MCAR). 2. Category “B” – aircraft maintenance engineer licence with type rating endorsement for full certification privileges under the current MCAR. 3. Category “C” – aircraft maintenance engineer licence in addition to having Category B type rating for full certification privileges, has in addition, certification privileges of base maintenance release (BMR) upon completion of an entire aircraft base maintenance check. Category C AML holders perform the role of an overall engineer in-charge (management engineer) of a base maintenance check. BEM Registration Eligibility The BEM task force concluded that CAAM Part 66 AML qualifications are acceptable for BEM registration as follows: 1. Category “B1” or “B2” without type rating – eligible to be registered as a technician (Inspector of Works). 2. Category “B1” or “B2” with at least one type rating – eligible to be registered as an Engineering Technologist. 3. Category “C” with at least one type rating – eligible to be registered as a Graduate Engineer. CAAM Category B1 or B2 License Without Type Rating Category B1 AML without type rating is a mechanical based licence and does not permit the holder to issue any certification privileges. Category B2 AML without type rating is an avionic based licence and does not permit the holder to issue any certification privileges. Category B1 AML covers aircraft structure, power plants, mechanical, hydraulics, pneumatics, flight controls, fire protection, electrical systems, etc. Category B2 AML broadly covers the instrument systems, automatic pilot systems, auto-throttle and auto-land systems, radio communication, navigation/radar systems, electrical power generation and distribution to avionic systems. In order for a category B1 or B2 licence holder to be entitled for certification privileges, the relevant individual must attend further training. The training is commonly known as aircraft type training. Examples of B1/B2 aircraft type training are B737- 500/600/700/800/900, A330, A350, A380, B747, B777, B787, etc. A CAAM approved type training (theory) may last up to three months depending on the course structure and aircraft model. Upon passing the examinations, there is an additional requirement of six months practical training before an individual qualifies for submission to CAAM for type rating endorsement to become a category B1/B2 LAME with type rating. Therefore, it is clear that the competency level increases tremendously from a category B1/B2 LAME without type rating to category B1/B2 type rated LAME. CAAM Category B1 or B2 License With Type Rating LAME After a B1/B2 LAME receives his/her CAAM aircraft type endorsement on their licence, the CAAM Part 145 process requires the B1/ B2 LAME to go through quality processes (oral examination – conducted by the Quality Assurance Department) before being issued a CAAM Part 145 maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) with company approval. Once passed, the B1/B2 LAME is allowed to perform his/her role. We may note the stringent processes a type rated B1/B2 LAME needs to go through before the individual is able to perform his/her role. This processes may take at least five years before an individual becomes a type rated B1/B2 LAME. If we were to ask what is the primary role of a type rated B1/B2 LAME, generally we may expect to hear that their duty is to carry out airworthiness certification of an aircraft and its system. The airworthiness certification carries very heavy 12 VOL 81 JANUARY-MARCH 2020