61. Licensing of Aircraft Maintenance Engineers-
(1) For the purpose of rule 54, the Central Government may grant licences, authorisations and approvals to persons to act in the capacity of Aircraft Maintenance Engineers, Authorised or Approved persons and to sign, in connection with construction, repair, overhaul and maintenance of aircraft, such certificates as may be prescribed by the Director-General or required under these rules.(2) General Requirements -
(A) Every applicant for the issue of Aircraft Maintenance Engineer's license shall satisfy the following requirements:
(a) The applicant shall be not less than 21 years of age.
(b) The applicant must have passed 10+2 examination with Physics and Mathematics or three years diploma in any branch of engineering or degree in any branch of engineering or equivalent examination;
(c) The applicant shall possess a minimum practical experience of four years in the field of aircraft maintenance engineering.
Provided that the Central Government may grant relaxation with respect to the minimum requirement for engineering graduates, if they appear in Aircraft Maintenance Engineer's licence examination in the relevant categories as under;
(i) Engineering graduates holding aeronautical engineering degree by 18 months in the categories of airframe and engines,
(ii) Engineering graduates holding degree in mechanical and electrical engineering by 12 months,
(iii) Engineering graduates holding degree in electronics/telecommunications engineering or other allied disciplines by 12 months in the relevant category.
Provided further that the Central Government may grant exemption from general papers to such students of engineering institutions awarding degree in Aeronautical/Mechanical/or Electrical/Electronics engineering as have passed during their course papers on Aircraft Rules, general engineering and workshop practices, theory of flights, aircraft structures, theory of internal combustion engines, basic electronics, basic communication systems, electrical systems and aircraft instrument systems, with syllabi approved by Director-General of Civil Aviation. Such students may be allowed to appear for type-rated licence examinations after gaining 24 months practical experience on aircraft/engines/ systems of aircraft of all up weight of 5,700 Kg or above and after 12 months practical experience on aircraft with all up weight below 5,700 Kg.
Provided also that the Central Government may relax the minimum experience requirement by period of two years for applicants appearing for licence examinations on gliders.
Provided also that for applicants who have satisfactorily completed training in institutes approved by Director-General, the Central Government may relax the experience requirements by one year.
(B) Every applicant for the extension of a licence already valid for a particular category, or for addition of another category in his licence, shall posses maintenance experience relevant to the category or type endorsement specified by the Director-General in the Civil Aviation Requirements.
(2A) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule (2), a Microlight Aircraft may be certified by any Aircraft MaintenanceEngineer holding a licence in category A, or category B, or category C, or category D, or category X, as the case may be.
(3) The categories in respect of which licences for Aircraft Maintenance Engineers may be granted shall be as follows:-
(a) licences applicable to aircraft but excluding engines (conforming to International Civil Aviation Organisation Type II licences)- Category A;
(b) licences applicable to overhaul of aircraft having maximum all up weight below 5700 kgs. but excluding engines (conforming to International Civil Aviation Organisation Type I licences)-Category B;
(c) licences applicable to engines (conforming to International Civil Aviation Organisation Type II licences)- Category C;
(d) licences applicable to overhaul of pistons, engines with the power rating not exceeding 500 BHP (conforming to International Civil Aviation Organisation Type I licences)- Category D;
(e) licences applicable to electrical systems (conforming to International Civil Aviation Organisation Type II licences)- Category E;
(f) licences applicable to instruments systems including autopilots (conforming to International Civil Aviation Organisation Type II licences)- Category I;
(g) licences applicable to radio communication navigation and radar system (conforming to International Civil Aviation Organisation Type II licences)- Category R;
(h) licences applicable to avionics systems or aircraft where electrical instruments and radio systems are integrated with the use of advanced computer system and the operation of flying controls is based on fly by wire technology (conforming to International Civil Aviation Organisation Type II licences)- Category V;
(i) licences applicable to overhaul of instruments electrical equipment, radio equipment, V.P. propellers and autopilots as installed on aircraft with all-up-weight below 5700 Kgs. (conforming to International Civil Aviation Organisation Type I licences)- Category X.
(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule (3) microlight aircrafts any be certified by any Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, holding a licence in category A, category B, category C, category D or category X, as the case may be.
(5) The privileges of the various Aircraft Maintenance Engineer's licences shall be as follows:
(a) For licences in categories A, C, E, I , R and V,-
(i) certification of flight release in respect of aircraft, engine or systems endorsed in the licence in the respective category;
(ii) certification in the logbook of inspection, work done under maintenance schedule approved by the Director-General, minor repairs approved by the Director-General, modifications approved by the Director-General and replacements of components, parts and inspection thereof in respect of aircraft, engine or systems as the case may be, endorsed in licence in the respective category.
(b) For licences in categories B, D and X,-
(i) certification of overhaul, repairs, modifications, tests or replacements effected in accordance with the procedures and techniques approved by the Director-General, in respect of aircraft, engines, instruments, equipment or endorsed in the licence in the respective category;
(ii) certification of the construction of components and parts fabricated in accordance with drawings approved by the Director-General and from materials approved by the Director-General and obtained from sources approved by the Director-General unless specifically excluded in the licence.
(6) Issue of Authorisations- The Central Government may grant Authorisation to the holder of an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer's Licence to issue a certificate of maintenance or a certificate of flight release or of both, in respect of any new aircraft, engine, system or items of equipment which have been brought into India and which are not within the scope of his licence.
Provided that no such authorisation shall be granted unless,-
(i) the Central Government is satisfied that such holder has sufficient training and experience, and
(ii) such holder has passed such examination and furnished such evidence specified by the Director-General in the Civil Aviation Requirements.
(7) Issue of Approvals- The Central Government may grant Approval to an applicant employed in an organisation approved by the Director-General to issue a certificate of maintenance in respect of an aircraft, engine, system component, instrument, accessory or item of equipment including radio equipment after inspection, maintenance, overhaul, repair, modification or test performed in accordance with the procedures approved by the Director-General upon being satisfied that the applicant has sufficient knowledge, experience and has passed such examinations as specified by Director-General in the Civil Aviation Requirements.
(8) Certificate of Competency- The Central Government may grant a Certificate of Competency to an applicant employed in a firm approved by Director-General to perform specialized processes which may affect the airworthiness of an aircraft, upon being satisfied that the applicant has competency and skill and has passed such examinations prescribed by Director-General.
(9) An applicant for grant or extension to an aircraft maintenance engineers licence shall undergo tests which may consist of:
(a) written examination
(b) oral examination
(c) practical test
Provided that any person from Indian Air Force or Indian Navy or Air Operational Wing of Indian Army who produces evidence to the satisfaction of the Director-General that he possesses necessary experience, comptency and standard of technical proficiency, may be exempted by the Central Government from any of the test or part thereof referred to in this sub rule.
Provided further that the Central Government may subject to such conditions as it may deem fit, exempt any applicant from any of the tests or part thereof referred above if the applicant holds a licence granted by a competent authority of a foreign state party to the convention to act in the capacity of Aircraft Maintenance Engineer.
(10) An applicant who fails in any of the above tests shall be permitted to appear again for such tests only after acquiring additional experience of three months or such other period in the appropriate field as may be intimated to the applicant by the Director-General.
(11) Validity-
(a) unless cancelled or suspended, licences shall be valid for the period specified therein, subject to a maximum period of 2 years in each case, and may thereafter be renewed by the Central Government for another 2 years on application, provided that during the 2 years preceding the date of application for the renewal of the licence, the holder has been engaged for a period totaling at least six months in aeronautical engineering either in practical maintenance or repair or overhaul or in a supervisory capacity or as a member of operating crew of an aircraft.
(b) Licence which has remained expired for a period in excess of two years shall be renewed only after the applicant has passed such tests as prescribed by the Director-General in the Civil Aviation Requirements.
(c) Authorisations and certificates of competency shall remain valid, unless cancelled or suspended, for a period not exceeding 6 months and may be extended by the Central Government for a further period of 6 months provided the applicant has been continuously engaged in the performance of the task for two months within the preceding six months.
(d) Approvals shall remain valid unless suspended, for a period not exceeding 1 year provided the applicant has been engaged in the performance of the tasks for 3 months in the proceeding one year.
(12) An Aircraft Maintenance Engineer licensed in a particular category shall, subject to the provisions of sub rule (13), be competent to deal with the matters specified in sub rule (5) in respect of the category of licence which he holds.
(13) Every licence granted under this rule shall specify the type or types of aircraft, aero engines, instruments, accessories or equipment which the licensee is competent to deal with, and may contain restrictions limiting his competence to deal with any particular class of work, and the Central Government may at any time vary such specifications or restrictions.
(14) Without prejudice to the provisions of sub rule (3) of rule 19, the Central Government may after such inquiry as it may deem fit and after giving a reasonable opportunity of being heard, cancel, suspend or endorse any licence, authorisation, approval or certificate of competency granted under this rule where it is satisfied that,-
(a) the holder has performed work or granted a certificate in respect of work which has not been performed in a careful and competent manner or;
(b) the holder has signed a certificate in respect of any matter which he is not licensed to deal with, or
(c) it is undesirable for any other reason that the holder should continue to exercise his privileges granted under this rule.
(15) The Central Government may withhold the grant or renewal of a licence, authorisation, approval or certificate of competence if for any reason it considers it desirable to do so.
[Amended by - (i) GSR No. 1202 dated 23-7-1976,
(ii) GSR No. 218 dated 13-3-1991, and
(iii) GSR No. 196(E) dated 1-4-1991.
(iv) G.S.R. 813(E) dated 21-11-2008]