Sir - Having read David Learmount's article "Licence to change" (Flight International, 26 July-1 August, P25), Aircraft Engineers International would like to offer its input on this important issue, which concerns future European maintenance engineers' licensing as it will be covered in the forthcoming Joint Aviation Authorities' (JAA) requirement JAR 65.
Aircraft Engineers International is an organisation of licensed aircraft-maintenance engineers' unions, with 31 affiliated associations from 26 countries. It is has a representative in the JAA JMB/JMC and has been involved in the evolution of JAR 65 from the beginning.
The views and facts presented both by Mr Learmount and the UK Civil Aviation Authority's head of engineer licensing, Jim McKenna, are basically those advocated by the National Aviation Authorities and the JAA in the recent JAR 65 NPA 65-0. Licensed maintenance engineers have, through AEI, voiced their strong objections on important issues, including:
The actual contents of the requirement;
The implementation of JAR 65;
The Certifying Staff Qualification Documents.
Firstly, we object to the creation of category "A" staff, which we view as an attempt to introduce into the loop personnel who are not completely familiar with a particular aircraft, because of selective training.
Secondly, we object to the creation of category "C" staff, as they will have to sign off aircraft from base maintenance on, which work has been done by non-certifying personnel.
Mr. McKenna is correct in saying that no national rules exist for duty times, but recent European Union (EU) rulings raise the point of long duty hours.
Another EU directive stipulates that new licensing regulations should be to the highest possible standard, but it has become evident that highest standards now equate to highest compromised standards.
ANDREAS GEORGIADES
President
Aircraft Engineers International
Ascot, Berkshire, UK
Source: Flight International
