A Guide Towards The CAAM Part-66 Category A:
Aircraft Maintenance Technician Licence
[as per Airworthiness Notice 1101, Issue 1]
How do I obtain the CAAM Part-66 Category A Licence?
(a) Through an Approved Training Organisation (ATO)
If you do not have any prior experience working with operational aircraft and you are not currently employed in an AMO, it is best to enrol into a CAAM-Approved ATO for a full-fledged basic training program on Category A.
The basic training will comprise of a minimum of 800 hours of knowledge training, knowledge examinations, practical training, 1-year of practical maintenance experience on operating aircraft and practical assessment.
You will be recommended by the ATO to the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) for the Category A Licence upon successful completion of the basic training program.
(b) Personnel from Airline/Air Operator or AMO (Aircraft Maintenance
Organisation)
If you are currently employed in an AMO, you may start with registering yourself for the CAAM Part-66 module examinations.
If you have no previous relevant technical training, the aircraft maintenance requirement is three (3) years. Record your aircraft maintenance experience in a CAAM Part-66 Logbook and get it all validated by a Validator.
[Validator: Approved person by DGCA, AMO, ATO or licensed personnel who is responsible to train and validate skill training or experience acquisition of an aircraft maintenance trainee]
The next step after you have completed all CAAM Part-66 module examinations and have acquired the aircraft maintenance experience requirements with a Logbook (minimum 3 years), is to go for a practical assessment.
If your AMO does not have a Practical Assessor, you may register at APR-ATC for the Practical Assessment.
For Application for Grant of Licence, a recommendation letter from the AMO you are currently employed with is required to support your application to the CAAM.
Tips and Advice
1) Apply for Category A Accelerated Training at APR-ATC. Take one module a month, you can complete all CAAM exams in 1 year!
2) If you plan to take it slow, go for 'easy' modules in the 1st year such as Module 1, 2, 3, 5 and 8. Save the 'heavy' modules like Module 7, 10, 11A, 12 and 15 in the 3rd year.
3) You can buy a Logbook from APR-ATC to record your maintenance experience.
4) Our Assessment Package includes a Logbook Review to ensure you have fulfilled relevant aircraft tasks.
5) For evidence of English Language competency, applicant must attain minimum Credit in English Language SPM. For other acceptable qualifications, do enquire CAAM.
APR-ATC also conducts an English Language Proficiency Test and Training.
6) Applicant for an Aircraft Maintenance Licence shall be at least 21 years of age.
7) The Aircraft Maintenance Licence is subject to renewal every two (2) years.
What's Next?
(c) Application from Military Personnel
The first thing you need to know is that you can only apply for the Grant of
Licence upon leaving the military service (with evidence from the relevant
authority). Secondly, recommendation for Licence is from an ATO, like
APR-ATC.
Thus, we would recommend you to complete the CAAM Part-66 module
examinations while in service, preferably the last 2 years prior to your end of
service.
You must be directly involved in aircraft maintenance (in military transport aircraft is encouraged) minimum 2 years preceding to the application for Grant of Licence. Do record your experience of maintenance work on military and civil aircraft, certified by the Commanding Officer, and an appropriate person for civil aircraft respectively. We highly suggest you to get the APR-ATC Logbook!
Once you have completed the module examinations and fulfilled the aircraft maintenance requirements, apply to APR-ATC for the practical assessment. Once your Assessment is deemed satisfactory, APR-ATC will recommend you for the Grant of Licence Category A to the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) using Form JPA 32 (with support of other required documents).