A new accredited course will help those pursuing a career in aviation achieve a full Category A maintenance engineering licence

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced it will provide accreditation for a new course to train aircraft engineers, aiming to give greater opportunities to those entering aviation careers.

Managed by City & Guilds, an organisation focussing on vocational education, the new process will count towards the theoretical training elements required for a full Category A maintenance engineering licence. Holders of a Category A1 licence are permitted to carry out scheduled line maintenance and simple defect rectification on aircraft.

To obtain a licence, students have to complete at least 800 hours of training plus one year of practical maintenance experience with an approved organisation.

School leavers can now study at a local further education college, instead of at one of the UK’s 12 approved specialist schools as was previously required. Mature students will be able to carry out the course part-time.

If the new course proves successful, the CAA may later expand accreditation to include the B1 licence, which permits more detailed maintenance on aircraft engines and mechanical and electrical systems.

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