How to become a LAME in Australia

Training

To become a Licenced Aircraft Maintenance Engineer in Australia you must be over 18 yrs of age and have had at between 1 and 5 yrs experience in aircraft maintenance or aircraft component maintenance – depending on the licence category being applied for. A category is classed as B1 (Mechanical), B2 (Avionics), A (Limited Line Maintenance) or C (Administrative return to service).

 

Mechanical maintenance includes Airframe, Structural, Powerplant and Electrical Systems. Avionics maintenance includes Electrical, Instrument and Radio systems. Category A maintenance is limited to a range of specific tasks designed for fast turnaround at airports.

The B1 and A licences contain subcategories identifying the aircraft and powerplant combinations.

  • A1 or B1.1 Fixed Wing – Turbine Engine
  • A2 or B1.2 Fixed Wing – Piston Engine
  • A3 or B1.3 Rotary Wing – Turbine Engine
  • A4 or B1.4 Rotary Wing – Piston Engine

The best place to obtain that experience is through employment with an airline, the defence force or in General Aviation.

 

You must also be able to read, write and understand English as English is the world recognised standard language for aviation, and not have any disability that could affect your ability to carry out your duties.

 

There are several pathways to gain the requisite theoretical and practical training in aircraft maintenance. For an apprentice, the usual pathway is to complete a trade course in Aeroskills (usually a diploma) structured for the licence at a training school approved by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). In addition, a series of Module Examinations set by CASA needs to be completed. A licence may also be obtained by self-study and completing the required Module Examinations and completing a log book of practical experience. You may also use a combination of both methods if desired.  

 

If the training has been completed in a training school, the school will provide a report to CASA with the details of the licence you qualify for. If using the self-study pathway, once you have completed the relevant examinations you must submit your practical experience logbook to CASA. You may then submit an application to CASA, and if CASA are satisfied all requirements have been met, they will issue you with an AME Licence. This licence will permit you to certify for the completion of maintenance on small (non-type rated) aircraft covered by the licence category.

 

Before working on complex (type-rated) aircraft you must complete a CASA endorsed training course (including theory and practical) on the aircraft type that the licence is for. (eg. Boeing 737, Cessna 550, and Bell 427) at an approved training organisation. This is commonly known as aircraft type training.

A Category A licence can only be used after specific task training has been provided by the company employing the licence holder.

 

Although a licence may be issued to a person over 18 years of age, they are not permitted to use the licence in a maintenance organisation until the age of 21.

Overseas licence holders and former Australian Defence Force members may have their licences and qualifications recognised for the issue of an Australian licence.

 

For further information the “Engineer Career Guide” found on the CASA website is very useful. Engineer career guide | Civil Aviation Safety Authority (casa.gov.au)

 

The sources of information on this subject were sourced from:

Civil Aviation Safety Regulation CASR Part 66

Part 66 Manual of Standards

Available from the CASA website www.casa.gov.au