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AMT
What is an Aircraft Maintenance Technician (AMT)?
An Aircraft Maintenance Technician (AMT) is a highly qualified professional responsible for ensuring the safety, reliability and airworthiness of aircraft.
They are responsible for inspecting, diagnosing, repairing and certifying all critical aircraft systems and components, including engines, hydraulic systems, electrical and electronic systems, and aircraft structures.
In addition to corrective maintenance, AMTs carry out preventive maintenance by identifying potential defects before they can affect flight operations, ensuring that every aircraft complies with the technical and regulatory requirements necessary to remain airworthy.
Every maintenance task requires precision, technical expertise and continuous professional development, making Aircraft Maintenance Technicians indispensable to modern aviation.
CAREER
Why Become an Aircraft Maintenance Technician?
Studies published by AIRBUS and BOEING indicate that the aviation industry will require more than 700,000 new Aircraft Maintenance Technicians over the coming decades, reflecting a significant global demand for highly qualified maintenance professionals.
This growth is being driven by the expanding worldwide aircraft fleet and the increasing need for skilled professionals to support the aviation industry, creating an outstanding opportunity for those seeking a career with long-term prospects, stability and international recognition.
A GROWING INDUSTRY
HIGH EMPLOYABILITY
INTERNATIONAL CAREER
CAREER PROGRESSION
& STABILITY
ESSENTIAL TO
AVIATION
HIGHLY SPECIALISED PROFESSION
ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY
TEAMWORK
HIGH LEVEL OF RESPONSIBILITY
PRACTICAL
TECHNICAL WORK
CAREER PATH
Find the right pathway for you.
There are two main routes to becoming an Aircraft Maintenance Technician.
The first is the Basic Training Course, a structured programme designed for individuals wishing to start a career in aviation with no previous experience.
The second route is through Self-Proposed Basic Examinations, with or without associated training, intended for candidates who already possess relevant technical knowledge or experience. This option offers greater flexibility and allows candidates to combine training with professional activity.
Issue of an Aircraft Maintenance Licence without any Aircraft or Engine Type Rating endorsements.
Verified Practical Experience
(Within an EASA Part-145 Approved Maintenance Organisation)
Complete Aircraft Type Training (Theoretical + Practical)
+
On-the-Job Training (OJT)
(OJT is required only for the first Aircraft Type Rating endorsement completed within an EASA Part-145 Approved Maintenance Organisation.)
How do you obtain an EASA Part-66 Aircraft Maintenance Licence?
Completion of one Basic Training Course
(Theoretical + Practical)
Award of one Training Certificate.
Issue of an Aircraft Maintenance Licence with the first Aircraft and/or Engine Type Rating endorsement.
a)
Self-Proposed Basic Examinations
Award of multiple Examination Certificates.
Training delivered outside the scope of
EASA Part-147
Self-Proposed Examinations Course
Without formal training
OR
OR
Applications for an Aircraft Maintenance Licence must be submitted by the candidate directly to the competent authority after successfully completing either the Basic Training Course or all the required Basic Examinations for the relevant category or subcategory, in accordance with EASA Part-66.A.30 (Experience Requirements).
This practical experience must be obtained within an EASA Part-145 Approved Maintenance Organisation.
Choosing the:
-
Complete Basic Training Course requires less practical experience (between 1 and 2 years, depending on the licence category/subcategory);
-
Self-Proposed Examinations (with or without associated training) require a longer period of practical experience (between 3 and 5 years, depending on the licence category/subcategory).
a)
TYPES OF AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE
Discover the main types of Aircraft Maintenance.
Aircraft maintenance is divided into two main areas: Base Maintenance and Line Maintenance.
Base Maintenance consists of extensive scheduled maintenance activities carried out in hangars, including detailed inspections, major repairs and heavy maintenance checks.
Line Maintenance is performed during day-to-day aircraft operations, typically on the ramp or at aircraft parking stands, and focuses on inspections, pre-flight and post-flight checks, defect rectification and routine maintenance tasks.
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Base Maintenance is the most comprehensive and technically demanding type of aircraft maintenance. It is characterised by longer maintenance periods and requires greater planning, resources and specialised facilities.
It is carried out when the aircraft is withdrawn from operational service and takes place in a maintenance hangar using certified facilities, equipment and appropriately qualified Aircraft Maintenance Technicians (AMTs).
During Base Maintenance, an AMT may:
-
Perform scheduled maintenance tasks;
-
Inspect, overhaul, repair and test major aircraft components, including engines, systems, structures and avionics;
-
Carry out structural repairs;
-
Test and calibrate aircraft systems;
-
Perform aircraft modifications and upgrades.
Base Maintenance
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Line Maintenance
Line Maintenance is carried out while the aircraft remains in operational service, typically between flights. It consists of routine inspections, operational checks and minor maintenance actions to ensure the aircraft remains safe and airworthy.
Line Maintenance is performed on the airport apron using certified equipment and appropriately qualified Aircraft Maintenance Technicians (AMTs).
During Line Maintenance, an AMT may:
-
Carry out pre-flight and post-flight inspections;
-
Perform routine maintenance checks;
-
Troubleshoot and rectify minor defects;
-
Replace aircraft components;
-
Perform engine ground runs.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Where can an Aircraft Maintenance Technician (AMT) work?
-
EASA Part-145 Approved Maintenance Organisations (MROs);
-
Commercial and private aircraft operators;
-
Aircraft and aircraft component manufacturers.
REQUIREMENTS
What are the entry requirements?
-
Completion of secondary education (12th Grade) or equivalent;
-
Minimum age of 18 years;
-
Good command of English (applicants will be required to complete an English assessment);
-
Basic knowledge of Mathematics, Physics and Electricity;
-
Clean criminal record (mandatory).
LEVELS
Discover the Roles and Categories within Aircraft Maintenance.
MECHANIC ASSISTANT
Your career begins as a Mechanic Assistant, where you learn and support maintenance activities before progressing to the role of Aircraft Mechanic, carrying out maintenance tasks under the supervision of a certified Aircraft Maintenance Technician (AMT).
CATEGORY A
Certifying Mechanic holding an EASA Part-66 Licence, authorised to perform and certify simple maintenance tasks in accordance with procedures established by an EASA Part-145 Approved Maintenance Organisation.
Electro-Mechanical Aircraft Maintenance Certifying Technician holding an EASA Part-66 Aircraft Maintenance Licence, authorised to carry out, supervise and certify mechanical maintenance activities, including engines, aircraft structures and mechanical systems, in accordance with the procedures established by an EASA Part-145 Approved Maintenance Organisation.
CATEGORY B1
Avionics Aircraft Maintenance Certifying Technician holding an EASA Part-66 Aircraft Maintenance Licence, authorised to carry out and certify maintenance on aircraft electrical and electronic systems, including communications, navigation, instrumentation and automatic flight control systems.
Category B2
Certifying Engineer or Aircraft Maintenance Technician (AMT) holding an EASA Part-66 Aircraft Maintenance Licence, authorised to issue the Certificate of Release to Service (CRS) following Base Maintenance, based on the review of the maintenance documentation and the work carried out by Category A, B1 and B2 certifying staff, in accordance with the procedures established by an EASA Part-145 Approved Maintenance Organisation.
CATEGORY C
EASA CERTIFIED AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE LICENCE CATEGORIES
WITH INTERNAL CERTIFICATION ISSUED BY AN EASA PART-145 APPROVED MAINTENANCE ORGANISATION
GLOSSARY
Discover the key terms
used in the aviation industry.
Civil aviation regulatory authorities.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) establishes and oversees aviation regulations throughout Europe, while ANAC (Portuguese Civil Aviation Authority) is the competent authority in Portugal.
Internationally, other civil aviation authorities regulate aviation within their respective countries or regions, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in the United Kingdom, Transport Canada (TC), the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) in the United Arab Emirates, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) in Australia and the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) in China.
A series of technical subjects (such as Basic Aerodynamics, Gas Turbine Engines and Propellers) that form part of the theoretical training and examination syllabus established by EASA under Part-66, required to obtain an Aircraft Maintenance Licence.
EASA regulation establishing the requirements for the approval of Aircraft Maintenance Training Organisations.
These organisations are authorised to deliver theoretical and practical training and conduct official examinations leading to the issue of an EASA Part-66 Aircraft Maintenance Licence.
EASA regulation establishing the requirements for the approval of Aircraft Maintenance Organisations.
These organisations are authorised to carry out maintenance on aircraft and aircraft components and to issue the Certificate of Release to Service (CRS) upon completion of maintenance.
EASA regulation establishing the requirements for obtaining an Aircraft Maintenance Licence, including the different licence categories (A, B1, B2 and C), the required theoretical knowledge and the practical experience requirements.
A qualified professional holding an EASA Part-66 Aircraft Maintenance Licence, responsible for carrying out, supervising and certifying aircraft maintenance tasks, ensuring aircraft operate in accordance with all applicable airworthiness and safety requirements.
A trainee or non-licensed Aircraft Maintenance professional who performs aircraft maintenance tasks under the supervision of appropriately certified personnel, gaining the practical experience required for career progression.
An individual record documenting maintenance activities carried out, providing evidence of the practical experience gained.
This record is essential to demonstrate compliance with EASA experience requirements when applying for an Aircraft Maintenance Licence.
A qualification obtained in addition to Basic Training or Self-Proposed Basic Examinations, authorising an Aircraft Maintenance Technician to maintain and certify a specific aircraft and/or engine type (e.g. AIRBUS A319/A320/A321 (CFM LEAP-1A)).
Practical training undertaken in a real maintenance environment under supervision within an EASA Part-145 Approved Maintenance Organisation, enabling technicians to develop their technical competence and fulfil the practical experience requirements established by EASA, particularly for obtaining Aircraft Type Rating endorsements on an EASA Part-66 Aircraft Maintenance Licence.
