CASA confirms self‑study pathway for aircraft engineers.
This change opens up new, more accessible routes for engineers to progress their licences without compromising safety — a significant step in strengthening aviation maintenance capacity across Australia and beyond.
Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has confirmed that licensed aircraft maintenance engineers (LAMEs) will soon be able to use a self‑study pathway to remove exclusions from their Part 66 licence.
What’s changing
- Amendments to regulation 66.072 of CASR 1998 and the Part 66 Manual of Standards (MOS) will allow engineers to submit evidence of knowledge, competency, and experience directly to CASA — not only through approved training organisations.
- Updates to appendix IX of the MOS will refresh type‑rated aircraft tables and endorsements.
Why it matters
- Provides flexibility for engineers, especially in regional areas where access to training organisations is limited.
- Helps address the skills shortage in aviation maintenance.
- Maintains safety standards by requiring clear evidence of competency before exclusions are removed.
Industry response
- Majority support: Engineers welcomed the move as a practical, timely solution.
- Concerns raised: Some worry it could shift training responsibility from companies to individuals and risk lowering standards.
Next steps
- CASA will proceed with the amendments, with the self‑study pathway expected to commence in 2026 (subject to legislative processes).
- Updates to type‑rated aircraft tables will be issued separately before the end of 2025.
