TYPE COURSES
Recently, there have been lots of discussions about doing aircraft type courses on your own. I guess, there has been a shift in thinking of maintenance personnel with regards to self development. Where previously, we would have waited for our employers (airlines, MROs, etc) to send us for type training, people are now taking the initiative in developing themselves.
I notice a few reasons to this trend shift. One major contributing factor is that employers are slow in training their employees. Mechanics/trainees/apprentices who have already completed their basic licenses on their own are forced to wait for their turn. As it is, they have to contend with an ever increasing queue for type course slots, certain employers are restricting development due to the current economic down trend and down sizing of departments. If you do get a chance at a seat for the type course, now you are faced with a ridiculous bond with the company for an astronomical figure!!
Another reason for this new development is that type courses are becoming increasingly affordable and accessible. This is good as it gives us maintenance personnel more choice with good value.
A few things to note before you do sign up for a type course:
1.Training school approvals.
Before signing up for the course, ensure that the school is an approved school, certified and given approval from the respective regulatory body. For EASA approved type courses, ensure that the school is an EASA Part-147 school.
For CAA UK approved schools, you can get the updated list at the CAA UK website or follow this link :
http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/177/srg_lts_ApprovedTypreTrainingOrg-Doc50v83_06-2012.pdf
For other schools outside the UK, it must be approved by EASA. Follow this link for the list of schools :
http://www.easa.europa.eu/approvals-and-standardisation/organisation-approvals/docs/lists/Foreign_EASA_Part_147.pdf
Additionally, you can request for the approval certificates of the school which will lists their training capabilities and training address.
2.Remote site approval.
If you will be joining courses organized by your group, a local company etc, please ensure that you get the training school to apply for a remote site approval.
The training school will have to apply for the remote site approval if the training venue is not listed in their MTOE (Maintenance Training Organisation Exposition) or on their approval certificate.
The school will require some photographs of the facility, teaching and safety equipment.
All the best!!
