Chapter 3: CAR-66: Certifying Staff Licensing

What CAR-66 is

CAR-66 (Section 2, Series L) lays down the requirements for the aircraft maintenance engineer's (AME) licence: how it is obtained, what it permits, how it stays valid, and how aircraft ratings are added. It is issued under Rule 133A and implements Rule 61 of the Aircraft Rules. It was introduced on 11 November 2011 to harmonise Indian licensing with EASA Part-66; the current text is Issue III, Revision 2 (29 September 2025), which also contains the Module 10 syllabus you are studying.

The CAR is arranged as Section A (technical requirements) with Subpart A (aeroplanes and helicopters), Subpart B (other aircraft) and Subpart C (components), followed by Appendices: I (basic knowledge), II (exam standard), III (type training and OJT), IV (experience for extending a licence), V (forms), VI (licence format), VII–VIII (category L).

Licence categories and aircraft groups

Aircraft are grouped for the purpose of ratings (66.A.05):

• Group 1 — complex motor-powered aircraft; multi-engine helicopters; aeroplanes (other than piston) with a maximum certified altitude above FL290; aircraft with fly-by-wire; gas airships other than LA2.
• Group 2 — other aircraft in sub-groups: 2a single turboprop aeroplanes (and low-complexity turbine aeroplanes classified by DGCA); 2b single turbine helicopters; 2c single piston helicopters.
• Group 3 — piston-engine aeroplanes other than Group 1.
• Group 4 — sailplanes, powered sailplanes, balloons and airships (other than Group 1).

Privileges — what each licence lets you certify

Four conditions before you may exercise privileges — 66.A.20(b)

1. Comply with the applicable requirements of CAR-M, CAR-ML, CAR-CAO and/or CAR-145 (you certify through an organisation, holding its authorisation).
2. In the preceding two years, have acquired six months of maintenance experience in line with the licence privileges (or met the provisions for issue of those privileges) — the “6 in 24” rule (AAC 5 of 2020).
3. Have adequate competence to certify maintenance on that aircraft.
4. Be able to read, write and communicate to an understandable level in the language of the technical documentation and procedures.

Getting the licence — eligibility, application and exams

• Eligibility (66.A.15): 10+2 in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics (or an engineering diploma recognised by a State technical education board with PCM), and at least 18 years of age.
• Application (66.A.10): on CA Form 19 through eGCA, with fees and evidence of knowledge, training and experience. For a change, the current original licence is submitted. Experience must be recorded in a log book showing where, when and what — a bare statement like “X years' experience” is not acceptable.
• Basic knowledge (66.A.25): pass DGCA examinations in the modules of Appendix I for the category. Module passes are valid for 10 years before application (except modules already used for an issued licence). DGCA may grant credits for other qualifications; credits expire after 10 years.
• Demonstration of skill (66.A.35) for each category/sub-category or type applied for.

Knowledge levels (Appendix I)

Category C applicants meet either the B1 or the B2 knowledge level. Module 10 is required for every category.

Examination standard (Appendix II)

All basic exams are multiple choice with more than two options, one correct; no penalty (negative) marking. Module 10 has 32 questions / 40 minutes for Category A and 44 questions / 55 minutes for B1, B2, B2L and B3.

Basic experience — 66.A.30

• Experience is practical, on operating aircraft, covering a representative cross-section of tasks.
• Adding a B2L system rating: 3 months of relevant experience per rating. Adding an L sub-category: 12 / 6 months.
• Category C for complex motor-powered aircraft: 3 years exercising B1.1, B1.3 or B2 privileges as support/certifying staff on CMPA, including 12 months as base maintenance support staff (or 5 years from B1.2/B1.4/L5). For other aircraft: 3 years including 6 months base maintenance support.
• Recent experience: at least 1 year of the required experience must be recent, on the category/sub-category sought (for later additions: at least 3 months). AMC: at least 50% of that 12 months within the 12 months before application, the rest within 7 years.
• All experience must be within the 10 years preceding application (defence experience within 15 years is acceptable).
• 12 years of experience outside a civil environment (armed forces, coast guard, manufacturing) plus at least 1 year recent civil experience is treated as equivalent.
• Experience on foreign-registered aircraft maintained in a CAR-145 organisation in India counts.

Licence validity and renewal — 66.A.40

• The licence becomes invalid five years (or ten years under the revised Rule 61) after its last issue or renewal unless the holder submits it to DGCA (CA Form 19-03 via eGCA) — a CAR-145 or CAR-CAO organisation may do this on the holder's behalf if its exposition has a procedure.
• Certification privileges become invalid as soon as the licence is invalid.
• The licence is valid only when issued/changed by DGCA and signed by the holder.
• An expired licence can be renewed within 4 years of expiry, with certified evidence of 6 months' experience in the 24 months before application and a declaration that the privileges were not exercised while expired (if they were, enforcement action comes first).
• Expired for more than 4 years — no renewal; the applicant must meet all the requirements for a new issue.

Aircraft ratings — 66.A.45

• Category A needs no aircraft rating — its scope comes from the organisation's task training and authorisation (145.A.35).
• A type rating requires approved type training (Appendix III) — theoretical training and examination plus, except for category C, practical training and assessment, normally at a CAR-147 organisation. Both elements must be started and completed within the 3 years before applying.
• The first type rating in a category/sub-category also requires On-the-Job Training (OJT) — mandatory for Group 1.
• For Groups 2 and 3, a type rating may alternatively be granted after the type examination, practical experience on type and a DGCA skill test.
• Group 2 manufacturer sub-group (B1/C): type-rating requirements for at least two types from the same manufacturer; full sub-group: at least three types from different manufacturers.
• Group 3 full rating for B1 carries limitations unless experience is shown: pressurised; metal structure; composite structure; wooden structure; metal tubing covered with fabric.

On-the-Job Training (Appendix III §6)

• The OJT task list and programme must be accepted by DGCA before starting.
• Conducted at one or more CAR-145 or CAR-CAO organisations approved for the type; one controls it.
• The trainee must hold an A, B or L5 licence, or have finished the theoretical type training and 50% of the basic experience.
• Started and completed within 3 years before applying; at least 50% of OJT tasks after the theoretical type training.
• One-to-one supervision by qualified mentors who countersign each task; final assessment by designated assessors. AAC 4 of 2017 gives the detailed procedure.

Limitations, evidence and conversion

• 66.A.50 — limitations are exclusions from certification privileges; group limitations affect the aircraft in its entirety. They are removed by demonstrating experience or a DGCA practical assessment (conversion limitations: by passing the relevant exams).
• 66.A.55 — certifying and support staff must produce their licence to an authorised DGCA person within 24 hours if asked.
• 66.A.70 — holders of pre-CAR-66 licences were converted, with or without limitations, without further examination (APM Chapter 17).
• 66.A.100 — microlight, light sport aircraft, glider, balloon or airship may be certified by a category L, A, B1 or B3 licence holder or an authorised person.

Component certification authorisations — Subpart C

CAR-145, CAR-CAO (and former CAR-M Subpart F) organisations may authorise staff to certify overhaul and major repair of components. Requirements (66.A.205):

• Age at least 21 years; 10+2 PCM.
• A CAR-66 licence in the appropriate category, or a 3-year AME course/diploma/degree plus the relevant CAR-66 module exams.
• Training from the manufacturer, an approved organisation, or a specifically approved person over 2 years.
• Experience: 1 year (licence holders, incl. 3 months recent) or 2 years (diploma/degree, incl. 6 months recent). Structural repair: 2 years plus having done similar repairs twice under supervision in the preceding 6 months.
• Medically fit; competency assessed by the organisation per its exposition.

Validity (66.A.220): one year, renewable by the Quality Manager if the holder exercised it for 3 months in the preceding 12, had a refresher course in the preceding 24 months, is medically fit and still employed. Extension within a stream needs 6 months more experience; a new stream needs 24 months (6 recent). An authorisation withdrawn after an enquiry cannot be restored without DGCA (Regional Airworthiness Office) approval.

Rule 61(8) authorisation — Series L Part IX

When an organisation brings in a new aircraft, engine or system and appropriately licensed AMEs are not available, the Central Government may grant an AME an authorisation beyond the scope of the licence.

• Requested by the organisation's quality manager to the Regional/Sub-Regional Airworthiness Office, with reasons.
• Holder of a current licence in the relevant category, full-time employee, with at least 3 months experience on a similar type (not insisted on for B2). Group 1 needs CAR-147 type training; Group 2/3 a type exam or approved type training.
• Not issued if the licence is suspended, or there was an inspection failure or blame in an investigation in the preceding 6 months.
• Valid for up to one year, renewable a year at a time if the holder performed the tasks for 3 months in the preceding year.

Validation of foreign licences — Series L Part XVI

Under Rule 61A, an operator or maintenance organisation may employ a foreign AME (licence from an ICAO Contracting State) until Indian engineers are trained:

• The foreign licence must be valid with a current rating on the type; the engineer under contract with the organisation.
• At least one year of maintenance experience after the type endorsement, including six months recent on type in the preceding 12 months.
• Proficient in English; conversant with the organisation's exposition and procedures.
• Initial validation for a maximum of one year, renewable up to one year at a time; the authorisation never extends beyond the licence validity.

Staying current — continuation training

CAR-145 (145.A.35) requires every certifying and support staff member to receive continuation training in each two-year period covering relevant technology, organisation procedures and human factors (AAC 4 of 2018), and to be involved in at least 6 months of actual relevant maintenance in any consecutive 2 years (AAC 5 of 2020). These are organisation duties that sit on top of your personal 66.A.20(b) conditions — see Chapter 4.

Chapter summary

• Categories A, B1 (4 subcats), B2, B2L (system ratings), B3 (≤ 2 000 kg piston unpressurised), L, C (base maintenance). Groups 1–4.
• A = own work, minor scheduled line maintenance, simple defects. B1 includes A. B2 does not. C = base maintenance, whole aircraft.
• Exercise privileges only with: organisation compliance, 6 months in 24, competence, language.
• Eligibility 18 years + 10+2 PCM; CA Form 19 via eGCA; exams 75% pass, 30-day wait, 3 attempts in 12 months; module passes valid 10 years.
• Experience 3/2/1 years (A, B1.2, B1.4, B3, B2L) or 5/3/2 years (B1.1, B1.3, B2); within 10 years; 1 year recent.
• Licence renewal up to 4 years after expiry with 6 months' experience in 24; produce licence within 24 hours.
• Type rating = Appendix III type training (within 3 years) + OJT for the first type in a category.