Part 66 C

[AFStarliner]

Hello all!
I'm currently applying for several university trainings (in France) in order to work as an Aircraft Maintenance Technician.
One, and only one of these different trainings grants a Part66 C license (which you would then have to validate with min. 3 years of experience in A/C maintenance)

My aim is to work as a technician/maintenance engineer, so what I really would like to know is: should I prefer this training because of the License?
Are the companies (MROs) looking for people owning this License to work on A/C?
or maybe do they think it's not enough compared with people also owning B1/B2?

Thanks for your help!

[munster]

There is not a great requiremet to hold a C licence as it only applies to the final sign off from base maintenance.

[AFStarliner]

Ok, it might not be as technical as a B1 or B2 license, but still, is it interesting or not for a company to hire someone with only C?
In other words, would I get more chance with C when applying somewhere than without any licence?

Thanks, it could really help me to make a (wise) choice between these trainings.

[spannersatcx]

C licence does not normally work on a/c, B or A work a/c.

[Capot]

to hire someone with only C

You cannot have a Cat C licence unless you already hold a Cat B licence, as a general rule.

I believe there are exemptions for those holding an appropriate degree, or something like that. See Part 66.

[AFStarliner]

I believe there are exemptions for those holding an appropriate degree, or something like that. See Part 66.

The university degree I'm willing to join is actually giving Cat C licence according to Part 66. It's a public school authorized by EASA, seems rare in Europe though.


In a general way, can we say B1/B2 Licence are matching with an A/C mechanic/electrician position, whereas holding a C licence is not related to a specific position?

These are maybe "stupid" questions, but I don't completely understand how Part 66 licences may be related to jobs when working in line or base maintenance.

Maybe we could consider an A/C coming for a C-check: what kind of people (licenced or not?) are usually required to make the A/C airborne and certified again?

[MATMAX]

AFS,
to get a C , you need to proove 3 years as a B1 or B2 ...
In France , DGAC will ask you to proove also 1 year as a support staff.
The job of a C , is to check that everything has been approved by a B (i would say that my daughter can do it ...).
Now , if i were you , i would go for a B1B2 (like me) and then after 3 years , if you are interested by hangars job then go for the C.
As Capot said , read the rules mate.
Salut.

[Capot]

The university degree I'm willing to join is actually giving Cat C licence according to Part 66

I would check that out with the NAA of your choice, if I were you.

Even if you can get someone to issue you with a Cat C licence after 3 years experience (you would need that long or more to get the Cat B licence, by the way), with or without a Cat B under your belt, I would hope that in the real world any employer would suggest you go away to get many years real experience, then try again. MROs do not need very many Cat C holders to function well, and there's no shortage of experienced Cat C holders who are working normally as Cat B.

Employers are unlikely to risk their Part 145 approvals by employing a degree student - with 3 years experience as a fitter in a hangar and/or on the line - to sign off large passenger aircraft after base maintenance. Such a person is usually called a "Trainee".

If you get a Cat B you will have obtained 3 - 5 years experience to achieve that. Another 3 years working as a Cat B gives you 6 - 8 in all; you might get a Cat C after that, but probably not a job in that capacity until someone retires.

[AFStarliner]

First, thanks for your answers, as I sincerely appreciate experienced advisers.
I'm also reading beside the actual thread "Is there really a lack of Engineers?", and it helps me to figure out what's working in a/c maintenance means.

Funny to see it resumes a bit the questions I'm asking to myself.
I'm aware B1/B2 with years of experience >> freshly C. Seems more than logical to me.
But the thing is I was really curious concerning this university degree, as it offers an opportunity to get a recognized aeronautical license.

For people used with french edu system, this degree is a "Licence professionnelle par apprentissage", that means training 50% in school, 50% in a company (manufacturer, supply chain or MRO). I give here the link: PolyAero - Licence Pro MSP Aéronautique
I guess it is clearly the kind of degree the guys from the other thread are happily blaming
Supplying chain engineers get the rights to hold a C license after 3 years was actually suprising me aswell, and that's why I would like to know more about C license on this forum.

Now, what's really motivating me is to work on a/c, so maybe owning a C license could still help me to find a job somewhere, with possibility to get a B1. That would go a bit against the flow, but I can't on another hand throw away my studies years.

[Rigga]

There are two routes to a CAT C:-

ACADEMIC ROUTE:
IMO virtually useless except for those very large companies that may elect to place specifically trained managers in place of seasoned and experienced technicians and engineers.
Academic CAT Cs qualify through completion of selected engineering Degree education and minimal hands on experience with at least one relevant type rating.

VOCATIONAL ROUTE:
The 'normal' qualification through hard work and experience of B1/B2 technicians (though it is normally B1s) over a period of years of providing certified and proven assurance of airworthy aircraft.
Using this route 'normally' would ensure the best performance of a CAT C assurance of an airworthy aircraft.

[AFStarliner]

Ok, found a B1-1 technician training in a part147 center, seems it would clearly match more my objectives than only holding a C license could.

I got similar advice than you gave me on licensed for a/c work, so... no more hesitation now

[hoistop]

I would suggest that you reconsider going to university. As told, there are two ways to get C licence, and academic route gives you C licence without anything else - it is quite possible that you get C licence at your selected university as advertised, but this might be a bit unusable as other posters suggested. Hovever, I assume you are young and ambicious - if you go to Part 147 school to obtain B1, this is not a university degree. Are you sure you want to work hands on the aircraft for your life? Maybe later in your career you might want to work something else than that - and you might be a bit rusty to go back to school when you are 40 and kids are jumping around you all the time.
Maybe, if you have a chance, it is better idea to do at least some part of university now and then go for Part 147 school to get licence. It might pay dividends in the future - depending of what you really want to do, and what you will want to do in 15 years.
Am talking from my own experience - believe me would be much easier to do university when you are 20 than when you are 40, but it all depends on your motivation, of course.
Wish you all the best!
hoistop

[AFStarliner]

Actually, I'm considering 4 different trainings, all of them related to "aeronautical maintenance". 3 of them at university, one in a private school.
The job opportunities that are given after university are mostly in manufacturing or supplying chain, whereas going through private training (with B1) would of course give me more chance to find a job in MRO and airlines.

But I know that I have to be cautious in my choice, like your advising me, hoistop. I wouldn't waste my previous U degree. (I just feel like I have enough of theorical lesson now...)
I will go to the 4 interviews and then make my final decision.

[spinglebout]

Help too, please

Hi there,
I had graduated with a BEng. in Aerospace Technology and I'm currently working in the Production Planning department in base heavy maintenance at Emirates Airlines.
If I'd like to earn a CAT C via academic route, do I need a B1 license first? Also do I need practical experience with the B1 license?
I'm trying to understand how it works with the academic route.
I'd really appreciate it if you could help me out here!

[NutLoose]

C licence does not normally work on a/c, B or A work a/c.

I wish that was true.... A,B and C

[emergency000]

Just curious: why do so many people want to get a Cat C license? What that means is that you're signing the aircraft as being fit to fly at the end of a heavy maintenance check, ie. you're staking your reputation (and license) on those others who've actually done the work and you're saying that you trust their work enough to put your signature to it.
Also, I get the feeling most Cat C guys are also in the MM kind of positions, meaning you'll never be on the tools. Personally, while in aircraft maintenance, I'd rather be on the tools than riding the desk any day!

[Gas Bags]

000,


You are not accepting responsibility for the actual work performed as a Cat C at the end of a Base Maintenance visit. You are issuing the CRS, which from the C standpoint only means that you have checked all tasks are completed and paperwork is correct and certified by appropriately qualified personnel. Most Cat B holders who have more than the minimum experience will also hold the cat C.


I can assure you it is an advantage to hold, and it is most definitely not mainly management who hold the C.

[emergency000]

Gas Bags,

Fair enough, I stand (or sit, as the case may be) corrected.

Cheers for the clarification.