SAAA Maintenance Techniques Course

Aircraft Maintenance Technician (AMT)

AMT3 Basic Endorsements

Course Reference: MTC-AMT3 Basic Endorsements

Applicability:

Experimental Aircraft Non-Builder / LSA Owner

Scope:

Airframe Specific Group Subjects and Engine Core Subjects

Outcome:

Validation of AMT3 Basic Certificate through acquisition of a number of optional endorsements that are specific to an aircraft.

Limitations:

The holder may only exercise the conferred permissions in respect of an aircraft that they own and of which they are not the primary builder and have acquired the necessary Optional Endorsements as set out below.

The holder may exercise the conferred permissions provided that they:

• • – consider themselves to be competent to do so i.e. they meet the General Competency Rule (refe, and
  • – are a financial Member of the SAAA

Remarks:

Optional Endorsements – the AMT3 Basic Certificate may be validated provided the holder acquires at least a number of endorsements specific to one aircraft as set out below and in respect of the conduct and certification of annual condition inspections.

A person may progressively acquire more than the minimum optional endorsements should they wish to extend their permissions to either of the conduct and certification of annual condition inspections for additional aircraft types (as per this AMT3 Basic Endorsements course), or extend their permissions to certain aspects of maintenance (refer AMT3 Advanced Certificate and AMT3 Advanced Endorsements courses).

Fixed Wing or Rotary Wing Aircraft:

Either of:

• • • – MTC 3.4 – Aeroplane Structures and Systems, or
    • – MTC 3.5 – Helicopter Aerodynamics, structures and Controls

Plus one of the following per predominant construction material if not metal:

• • • – MTC 3.1 – Wooden Structures
    • – MTC 3.7 – Structural Composites
    • – MTC 3.2 – Fabric and Doping (if either predominant structure or control surfaces employ fabric as a skin)

Plus either of:

• • • – MTC 5.1 – Piston Engine Theory and Construction and MTC 5.2 – Piston Engine Systems, or
    • – MTC 5.4 – Gas Turbine Engine Theory and Construction and MTC 5.5 – Gas Turbine Engine Systems

Plus, if not a helicopter:

• • • – MTC 5.3 – Propellers

Plus, if aircraft is pressurised:

• • • – MTC 3.9 – Pressurisation

 

General Competency Rule for AMT Certificate Holders:

The general competency rule is a cornerstone of achieving safe aircraft operations – in this context, through the conduct of correct and accurate aircraft inspection and maintenance activities. Before commencing any activity permitted by an AMT certificate or endorsement, a person must ask themselves ‘Am I capable of conducting this activity competently?’

This is the equivalent of the CASR Pt 61.385 general competency rule as it applies to pilots, or similar to the medical ‘fitness to fly’ question.

It means that an AMT holder needs to be sure they are competent to inspect and maintain IAW their AMT certificates and endorsements.

The general competency rule in respect of aircraft inspection and maintenance activities covers but is not limited to:

• • – maintaining aircraft records, certification and use of data
  • – use of tools and the conduct of basic practices and procedures required to conduct aircraft maintenance and aircraft periodic or any other inspection

The general competency rule has been included for two reasons. The first is to ensure that all persons holding AMT certificates consider whether they are competent to exercise the conferred privileges. This is about good practice.

The second relates to the anticipated inclusion of a general competency rule in the for-shadowed CASR Pt 43 legislation.

AMT Certificate Holders should also consider how familiar they are with a particular inspection and maintenance activity if they have not conducted that activity for some time.