The starting point: a solid apprenticeship

Most licensed aircraft engineers in the UK begin with an apprenticeship. Typically a Level 3 apprenticeship in aircraft maintenance, lasting three to four years. You'll combine college study with hands-on work in a hangar or workshop. You learn the basics: safety, tooling, documentation, and the importance of following procedures. Your employer will support you through the CAA Part-66 basic knowledge exams. The apprenticeship gives you a structured route, but it's only the first step. You'll need to be patient, methodical, and curious about how systems interact.

Passing the Part-66 basic exams

The CAA Part-66 licence is the foundation for certifying aircraft. To get there, you must pass a series of module exams. These cover mathematics, physics, electrical fundamentals, digital techniques, materials, maintenance practices, aerodynamics, human factors, aviation legislation, and more. There are 17 modules for a full B1 or B2 licence, though some are common. Exams are multiple-choice for some modules, but others require written answers. You can sit them at approved training organisations. Study is intense: expect evenings and weekends. Many apprentices fail a module first time; that's normal. Resits are allowed, but you pay per attempt. The key is to understand, not memorise. The CAA updates modules occasionally, so check the current syllabus.

Building experience and your logbook

Exams alone won't get you a licence. You need practical experience, recorded in a logbook. For a Category A licence (line maintenance certifying staff), you need two years of maintenance experience. For B1 (mechanical) or B2 (avionics), you need five years, or three if you have an approved apprenticeship. Your logbook must show a range of tasks: inspections, repairs, replacements, functional tests. You'll work under a licensed engineer's supervision. Be meticulous: log every job, with aircraft type, task, and date. The CAA or your quality manager will audit it. Missing entries can delay your application. Your employer's Part-145 organisation will have a process for verifying your experience.

From mechanic to certifying staff

Once you have enough experience and exams, you apply for your first licence category. Category A lets you certify simple line tasks after a specific type course. But most engineers aim for B1 or B2. B1 covers airframes, engines, and mechanical systems. B2 covers avionics and electrical systems. To add a type rating, you attend a CAA-approved type course for that aircraft. These last two to six weeks, depending on complexity. Then you complete on-the-job training (OJT) under a mentor. For example, a B1 type rating on a narrow-body jet might need 6 months of OJT and 20 supervised tasks. Only then can you certify that type. The process is deliberately rigorous: you're signing for airworthiness.

Specialist endorsements in practice

After your core licence, you can add endorsements. These expand what you can certify. Common examples include:

• Engine ground runs: need additional training and a logbook of supervised runs.
• Composite repairs: for modern airframes, a short course plus practical assessment.
• Avionics modifications: often requires a B2 licence plus specific system training.
• Wheel and brake changes: simple, but still need a type-specific sign-off.
• Borescope inspections: for engine health monitoring, with detailed recording.

Each endorsement is recorded on your licence. You must keep your training records current. Some endorsements expire if you don't use them for a period, typically two years. In practice, you'll work with your quality department to plan endorsements that match your employer's fleet. It's a career-long process: new aircraft, new systems, new rules.

Keeping your licence valid and moving up

Your licence isn't permanent. You need to maintain it with a valid medical certificate (for some roles) and recent experience. The CAA requires you to have worked in maintenance for at least six months in the last two years, or complete refresher training. You'll also need to revalidate type ratings every few years. As you gain experience, you can move into supervisory or quality roles. Many licensed engineers become shift leaders, trainers, or technical representatives. The pay improves with each category and type rating. But the real reward is the responsibility: when you sign a certificate of release to service, you're trusting your own hands and judgement. That's why the path from apprentice to licensed engineer is demanding, but deeply satisfying.