The aviation industry has been hit hard by the worldwide pandemic, but things are getting better. The good news is that flying demands are gradually increasing and operators are slowly catching the old track of travel.
People are eager to travel again, load factors in passengers are higher and higher and aircrafts are returned from storage back to the skies.
This situation gives more work also to MRO’s (Maintenance, repair and overhaul organisations) around the world, which were in general much less hit than the airline operators. This is due to the fact that aircraft must be maintained even when it doesn’t fly. Therefore when aircrafts are on the ground, pilots are not needed, but licensed aircraft engineers still are.
As a result, the hiring of licensed engineers is back in steep demand. This is good news for all engineers who want to find or get a better job in Aircraft Maintenance.
But after the pandemic the aviation industry is under great pressure to change and adapt even faster than before. New aviation trends are emerging and every aircraft engineer who wants to be competitive in the job market should follow them closely.
The future aviation trends that aircraft engineers should follow
Zero-emission programs (announced by Airbus) aiming at decarbonization of modern aircraft, using hydrogen cell-powered aircraft are nearly here. Fuel jet engines will still be mainstream, but for sure they will persistently be replaced with hydrogen-powered ones.
Electrically and hybrid-electrically powered aircrafts are already officially certified by EASA and massive production is in place. These types of motors are currently used in short-range planes and they can only carry a few passengers. Slowly the number of passengers on board will get higher and flight ranges will get longer, so more EASA licenced mechanics will be needed in this field.
Drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) are becoming more and more commercially interesting for services like package delivery services, larger cargo transports and also as air-taxis.
New aircraft structure concepts such as blended wing body configuration (BWB) are being developed and commercialised more and more. The BWB kind of shape decreases fuel consumption and has a larger cargo or passenger area in the centre of the aircraft.
Further development of Avionics like integration of electronics systems, Modular Open Systems Architecture, Future Airborne Capability Environment, cyber security on the aeroplanes etc. will bring lots of new knowledge demands for aviation mechanics and engineers.
Considering this and other always expanding range of concepts of airplanes and different types of aircrafts to be endorsed into maintenance license will require wider knowledge from an aircraft engineer.
To get in line with the existing knowledge and the knowledge still to come, training and gaining of new Part 66 license categories is required.
The future of EASA Part 66 licensing
EASA has recently introduced new license categories – EASA Part 66 – B2L and L and many more categories are on the horizon.
EASA Part 66 – B2L – It is the same as B2 but limited to the systems endorsed on the licence. It is divided into the following ‘system ratings’: communication/navigation (com/nav), instruments, auto flight, surveillance, airframe systems.
EASA Part 66 – L – It is certifying the release to service of work performed on aircraft structure, power plant and mechanical and electrical systems, radio, emergency locator transmitters (ELT) and transponder systems; and work on other avionics systems requiring simple tests to prove their serviceability.
It is divided into the following subcategories: L1C: composite sailplanes, L1: sailplanes, L2C: composite powered sailplanes and composite ELA1 aeroplanes, L2: powered sailplanes and ELA1 aeroplanes, L3H: hot-air balloons, L3G: gas balloons, L4H: hot-air airships, L4G: ELA2 gas airships, L5: gas airships other than ELA2.
EU Civil Aviation Authorities (CAAs) are adding their own restrictions for issuing licenses, like KIWA Netherlands for example.
EASA Part 66 higher demands – In 2023 EASA plans to introduce more restrictive measures and higher demands for getting the aircraft maintenance license. This will be regarding module examinations and practical assessments, like adding module 18 – Practical assessment in Part 66 basic training.
Experience requirements for basic B1, B2 and B3 licenses will be strengthened, adding 1-year mandatory EASA Part-145 organization experience.
Invest in your future by investing in your knowledge and EASA certifications
If you are considering jumping into the training or examination for EASA Part 66 license categories B1, B2 and B3, now is the right time to start and finish before these industry and licencing changes are due. Especially that is important for the students from outside of EU countries.
When considering the best provider for Part 66 training and examinations do select an EASA Part 147 organisation that follows all legislation and technical trends of modern aviation maintenance. Also, check their student reviews and if possible talk with some of them to see how satisfied they were with the school’s responsiveness, flexibility, training materials and instructors.
If you want to find out more information about the EASA Part 66 licence then look at the article The process to get EASA Part 66 aircraft maintenance license (AML) – B1, B2 or B3.
If you already know your professional path and are searching for the best EASA Part 66 provider or are searching for the best offers, then check out more information about our EASA Part 66 exams (B1, B2), courses and training.
