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66.A.15 establishes the minimum age requirement for aircraft maintenance licence applicants, requiring that they be at least 18 years old at the time of licence issuance.
What it means in practice
The eligibility threshold for a Part 66 licence is straightforward: you must be at least 18 years of age. There is no upper age limit imposed by the regulation itself, though continuation of validity requirements under 66.A.40 effectively ensure that older licence holders remain current.
It is worth noting that while you must be 18 to receive the licence, you can begin your basic knowledge training and sit examinations before turning 18. Many approved Part 147 training organisations accept students from age 16 or 17, allowing them to complete their studies and gain some experience before applying for the licence on or after their 18th birthday.
Key requirements
The sole regulatory eligibility criterion in 66.A.15 is the minimum age of 18 years. This applies equally to all licence categories, from Category A through to Category C. The regulation does not impose nationality or residency requirements for eligibility, although practical considerations around competent authority jurisdiction apply when submitting an application under 66.A.10.
While the regulation sets only the age criterion here, eligibility in the broader sense depends on meeting all the requirements across Part 66, including basic knowledge (66.A.25), experience (66.A.30), and the application process (66.A.10). These are addressed in their respective sections but must all be satisfied for a licence to be issued.
Common compliance gaps
There are few compliance issues with the eligibility requirement itself, given its simplicity. However, confusion can arise when young trainees complete their Part 147 training and examinations but assume they can immediately begin certifying maintenance. Until the licence is formally issued after turning 18 and submitting a complete application, they have no certification privileges, even if all other requirements have been met.
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