License, regulations and certificates in aviation
Why an aircraft technician is a licensed tradesperson
When you work on an aircraft you are not just a craftsperson – you are part of an international regulatory system designed to ensure aircraft are safe to fly. Therefore the aviation trade is highly regulated and a large part of your training is about learning the rules and working precisely according to them.
§EASA Part-66 — your personal license.
Measuring equipment cannot break
§Part-145 and Part-147 — two important approvals
You soon encounter two numbers that sound the same but mean something different:
| Concept | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Part-145 | Approval of the companies permitted to carry out maintenance on civil aircraft |
| Part-147 | Approval of the schools permitted to train aircraft maintenance technicians to EASA standard |
| Part-66 | The personal license you yourself obtain as a technician |
Your apprenticeship agreement must be with a Part-145 company and your school must be Part-147 approved. It is that system that binds the entire education together and makes it internationally valid.
§Documentation is part of the craft
In aviation it is not enough to do the work right — you must also be able to document it. Each task is recorded, and your signature means you stand behind the fact that the work has been performed correctly. You learn that discipline from day one because traceability is critical to flight safety.
Clean criminal record and access
Because you gain access to the airport's secure areas, you typically need a clean criminal record. If you are not an EU citizen, you also need a valid residence and work permit. This is part of the background requirements that come with working in a security-critical environment.
§The compulsory courses
Beyond the licence, you acquire a range of legally required certificates — including for work with epoxy and isocyanates, first aid, basic fire fighting and a radio certificate. They reflect the actual risks and tasks you encounter in daily life.
“Your signature on a piece of aircraft work is a promise: this has been done correctly and I stand by it.”