DASA 66 - Military Aircraft Maintenance Licencing
What is a Military Aircraft Maintenance Licence?
The Military Aircraft Maintenance Licence (MAML) is an attestation that the holder has met the DASR 66 knowledge and experience requirements, based on the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) recognised standards.
Note# A MAML does not entitle the holder to conduct maintenance or issue certifications unless they are appropriately authorised by recognised/approved DASA 145 organisations.
What categories of DASR 66 Licences are there?
DASR 66 contains four Military Aircraft Maintenance Licence categories:
- Category A: Line Mechanic (minor scheduled and unscheduled line maintenance)
- Category B1: Licensed Engineer (complex scheduled and unscheduled Airframes, Engines, Structures & Electrical)
- Category B2: Licensed Engineer (complex scheduled and unscheduled avionics and electrical maintenance.)
- Category C: Licensed Engineer (Base Maintenance
What Qualifications, Training & Experience do I need to obtain a DASR 66 Licence?
DASR 66 Licensing is based upon qualifications under the Australian MEA - Aeroskills Training Package. In order to obtain a DASR 66 Category A or B MAML an applicant needs to demonstrate the following Qualifications, Training and Experience (QT&E):
- Basic Knowledge in the appropriate subject modules (DASR 66.A.25).
- Basic Experience requirements of the requested licence category (DASR 66.A.30).
- DASR Module 10 –Aviation Legislation training.
In order to enact the privileges of a DASR 66 Category B (Line and Base Maintenance) MAML, MAML holders must have a specific Aircraft Type and authorised by the Quality manager to operate within their approved quality system. In order to obtain a type rating, an applicant requires:
Type Training (Theory & Practical) (DASR 66.A.45): and
OJT for first TR (AMC 66.A.45)
Refer to DASA Factsheet – Military Aircraft Type Ratings
How do I apply for a Military Aircraft Maintenance Licence?
DASR 66 requires an application for an initial or amended MAML to be made by a Form19. There are two methods through which this is achieved.
- ADF: DASA has developed an automated licensing process, extracting proficiency data from PMKeyS to issue licences to eligible personnel. The DASR Form 19a is to be used for ADF personnel. The Form 19a can be downloaded here. QM must verify that PMKeyS is updated with relevant proficiencies when making an application.
- Defence Industry: The DASR Form 19 is to be used by Defence Industry aviation personnel to apply for an initial MAML, or make amendments to their current MAML. The Form 19 can be downloaded here.
All DASR Form 19 and DASR Form 19a applications must be vetted by an applicant’s Quality Manager for accuracy and to ensure all obligatory relevant QT&E evidence supplied with an application is true and correct.
All Supplied copies of supporting records are to be retained by the individual and organisation.
If applicants are claiming recognition of other Aviation Maintenance Licenses, e.g. CASA LAME, then a certified true copy must be attached to the MAML application.
For applicants with a CASR Part 66 issued licence, your DASR 66 MAML will be based upon your existing Licence, but with DASR specific exclusions/inclusions.
Why do I need to complete DASR Module 10 – Aviation Legislation?
DASR Module 10 – Aviation Legislation is a mandatory requirement for all DASR MAML holders and provides the following:
- a. Understanding of the Defence Aviation Safety Regulatory Framework.
- b. Understanding of DASR MAML and Certifying staff regulations.
- c. Understanding of DASR 145 organisations and authorisations.
- d. Understanding of DASR M organisations and responsibilities.
- e. Understanding of DASR 21 organisations and responsibilities.
Is the DASR 66 Licence equivalent to a CASR 66 Licence?
DASA intends to reach an agreement with CASA to mutually recognise DASA/CASA licence holders, providing equivalent QT&E is demonstrated. Until such time, licences are not mutually recognised.
Who will be authorising a DASR 66 Licence holder and what can they be authorised for?
The Quality Manager of a DASR 145 organisation is accountable for authorising the range of maintenance activities which each licence holder may undertake within their approved quality system, based upon an individual’s MAML and any further QT&E recognised by the organisation (for specialised services).
DASR 145 organisations may then authorise category B or C license holders to sign a Certificate of Release to Service (CRS). The scope and level of maintenance for which a MAML holder may be authorised to sign a CRS is limited by the privileges of the individual’s MAML that must include the specific aircraft Type Rating.
My trade training doesn’t align with DASR 66 licences, will I be eligible for a licence? If I am, how will gaps in knowledge & skills be managed – will I have to undergo further training?
The current Defence Aircraft, Avionics and Armament trades result in different skill sets compared to licence requirements. Gaps in a trade skill sets will be managed by licence exclusions (refer to MAML Exclusion Inclusion Endorsement Manual). There is no requirement to undertake further training unless that capability is required by the organisation. Other trades undertake specialised maintenance and do not require a licence to undertake such work (however they do need to be authorised by the DASR 145 Organisation to perform such maintenance).
Do I need an Aeroskills Diploma to gain a DASR 66 licence?
No. You will need to demonstrate competence in topics beyond that covered in the Cert IV, and similar to those included in the Diploma, e.g. supervision, application of the regulatory framework, maintenance planning. However, your licence will be based on your qualifications, training and experience and therefore may include exclusions &/or inclusions.
What is Line Maintenance?
Line maintenance is any minor scheduled or unscheduled maintenance carried out before flight to ensure that the aircraft is fit for the intended flight. This may include simple defect rectification in accordance with the authorisations issued by the 145 organisation. Eg. Minor repairs, component replacement, visual inspection and modifications.
What is Base Maintenance?
Base maintenance includes any maintenance task that by severity and/or complexity requires the aircraft to be taken out of service for longer periods, and which require special equipment only available in a hangar. These task will require a dedicated person to lead and coordinate the joint effort on behalf of the Maintenance Manager, and must have a “C” MAML, and authorisation as “Certifying Staff” on Base Maintenance. Comprehensive scheduled maintenance tasks, and complex fault insulation and rectification may include different types of personnel (B1 and B2 and perhaps specialised services), and therefore requires a person in charge of coordination and control of the different actions necessary.
What are Support Staff?
Support staff are those staff holding a DASR 66 MAML in category B1 and/or B2 with appropriate extensions and Military Aircraft Ratings, working in a Base Maintenance environment while not necessarily holding certification privileges. They are supporting the Category C Licence holder by supervising tradespersons allocated to undertake the maintenance and verifying that the maintenance tasks have been completely and correctly carried out.
DASR 147 - Aircraft Maintenance Training Organisation
What is a DASR 147?
DASR 147 establishes the regulations required by Aircraft Maintenance Training Organisations (MTO) responsible for either Basic (initial trade training) or Type Training. DASR 147’s purpose is to ensure the quality of maintenance training. MTOs will provide training and assessments (theory and practical) for aircraft trade training (initial and post-graduate) and aircraft type ratings.
DASR 147’s purpose is to ensure the quality of aircraft maintenance technical training. MTOs will provide training and assessments (theory and practical) for aircraft technical training (initial and post- graduate) and aircraft type ratings.
What is the Air Domain Maintenance Training Organisation?
The Defence Aviation Safety Authority (DASA) and Headquarters Air Force Training Group (HQAFTG) have agreed that the primary framework to meet the DASR 147 requirements for the training of ADF personnel is through the creation of a single Air Domain Maintenance Training Organisation (MTO).
The single Air Domain MTO will:
- leverage existing Joint and Single Service Individual Education and Training governance arrangements to provide efficient and standardised governance approach for ADO aviation maintenance training.
- align with the Defence Registered Training Organisation (DRTO) framework to enable standardisation against benchmarked Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) standards.
- provide a single point of accountability for aviation maintenance training, which will provide better holistic oversight that safety outcomes are being achieved.
- provide the simplest path to the provision of recognition of Defence Maintenance Training by international military and civil regulators
What organisations are included within the Air Domain MTO?
The Air Domain MTO was stood up on 21 December 2018 and includes military aircraft type training courses delivered by Army Aviation Training Centre (AAvnTC), the Navy Training Authority – Aviation (TA-AVN) and the Air Force – Force Element Groups (FEGs). Basic aviation knowledge training delivered by BAE Systems (DATA) is also included under the Air Domain MTO.
DASR 147 Air Domain Structure PDF-252KB
Which organisations will have to become approved MTOs?
Any organisation which delivers military aircraft technical training (eg RAAF School of Technical Training, recognised CASA Part 147 orgnaistaions, etc) or delivers aircraft/component type courses (eg RAAF 200 series Squadrons, Rotary Wing Aircraft Maintenance School, Training Authority - Aviation and contractors who provide such courses).
A list of Approved DASR 147 Organisations can be found here
What is a Commercial Maintenance Training Organisation?
A Commercial Maintenance Training Organisation delivers aircraft maintenance training – either initial technical training or Military aircraft Type courses to DASR 145 organisation(s).
What is the difference between Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) and MTOs?
Being a RTO provides the authority and governance for institutions to deliver recognised training to Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) standards.
An MTO seeks approval to conduct training under authority and governance to meet DASR 66 training standards, which have a very specific compliance requirement.
MTO are regulated and oversighted by DASA/CASA using DASR/CASR 66 and 147 regulations. Where RTOs are registered and audited by ASQA under different legislation.
An MTO that seeks approval to conduct category training that delivers Aeroskills units under an ASQA framework must also be a RTO. An MTO that seeks approval only to conduct DASR 66 Aircraft Type Training does not need to be a RTO.
Note: Few RTOs have an extensive range of instructional aircraft, systems simulators and maintenance support equipment to meet the practical experience and examination requirements of DASR 66 regulations.