So you have started life as an aircraft contractor. Good for you and many continue in this role for all their working careers in the industry. But there is a more formal route you may like to investigate. Most of the work you carry out as a contractor will be checked and 'signed off' by a LAE or LAME. Its not a secret code or anything more sinister! These people have taken the next step forward in the aircraft maintenance field and obtained there licence in aircraft engineering.
Licensed Aircraft Engineer & Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer.
The training for these licences is quite involved and can be undertaken at various recognised colleges around the UK or by a 'self study' method if you have the time and dedication to teach yourself. This method really needs an existing strong background in aircraft engineering and is more suitable for the guy who has taken a formal apprenticeship, maybe in the armed forces or other suitable industry.
The formal licence that many may of heard of is the CAA licence which was the mainstay in the UK for many years. This has now been superceded by a licence called JAR and is issued & recognised by many different countries worldwide. (Not the USA, they still use the FAA System ((LAME)). The JAR system allows for different categories of licence ranging from a self certifying 'Line Mechanic' (A type licence) to the more in depth requirement of a LAE working in a Base Maintenance environment (B licence). This licence information only touch's the surface the overall structure. Further information can be found on the various web sites & some more detailed information listed below:
Category A is intended to be the basis for ‘limited authorisations’, allowing an experienced and knowledgeable mechanic to be authorised to certify certain simple inspections and routine tasks.
Category B is the mainstay licence qualification for aircraft maintenance staff under EASA. Category B licences are available in both mechanical and avionics disciplines:
B1 – Mechanical (aircraft structure, powerplant and mechanical and electrical systems)
B2 – Avionics (communications, navigation, radar, instrument and electrical systems)
The wider privileges of the Category B licence and the role of the technician in defect diagnosis and rectification, and system inspection require a more in-depth knowledge of the aircraft than that of the Category A Licence holder. To obtain this licence requires a longer period of experience, and examination at a higher level than for Category A.
More information can be found at the following web sites.
Jar 66 Self study Excellent site for the self study types amongst us.
The CAA Home Page The home page of the UK's Civil Aviation Authority
Perth Training Collage AST Training based in Perth, Scotland
Kingston Collage Bristol Based in Bristol. Offers full time training if required.