Maintaining Recency as B1/B2 Certifying Staff in an EASA Part-145 Environment

Introduction

EASA Part-145 regulations mandate that all certifying staff (C/S) must maintain recent experience to exercise their privileges. Specifically, EASA (EU Regulation 1321/2014, Annex II (part-145) requires each B1/B2 certifying staff member to be “involved in at least six months of actual relevant aircraft or component maintenance experience in any consecutive two-year period. This 6‐months‐in‐24‐months rule applies at both the organizational (Part-145 AMO) and individual (Part-66 license holder) levels. In practice, before issuing or reissuing a Certificate of Authorisation (the company-issued authorisation document as established in the MOE), the AMO must verify that the applicant meets the 6/24 recency requirement. Similarly, as EASA confirms, if a license-holder lacks 6 months’ experience in the last 2 years, they lose their certification privileges until the requirement is met (although the license itself remains valid).

The responsibility for recency is shared: the AMO must have approved procedures to ensure staff recency (e.g. via its Certification Authorization procedure in the MOE), and the individual engineer or technician must proactively keep current. For example, the organization’s quality system and continuing training program must document that certifying staff receive adequate continuation training and perform sufficient maintenance tasks. Before issuing any certifying staff authorisation, the AMO typically reviews maintenance records and evidence that the individual has fulfilled the 6/24 condition. In short, maintaining recency is not automatic – it requires planning and record-keeping by both the AMO and its certifying staff.

Demonstrating Recency: Task Duration and Nature

Recency is demonstrated by actual maintenance work experience. EASA defines recency through two elements: the duration (at least 6 months’ work) and the nature (a representative cross-section of tasks). In any rolling 24-month period, a certifying staff must accumulate the equivalent of 6 full-time months of hands-on maintenance, which may be done continuously or in separate blocks (e.g. 3 months here, 3 months there). Crucially, the tasks must be relevant: they can include performing, supervising, or releasing-to-service on components or aircraft as authorized. Typical activities include servicing, inspections, troubleshooting, repairs, modifications, and removals/installations. For instance:

• Servicing and Inspections: Routine checks, lubrication, and scheduled inspections.
• Troubleshooting and Repairs: Diagnosing system faults and carrying out corrective work.
• Modifications and Installations: Implementing approved alterations or installing parts.
• Certifying Work: Signing off the maintenance releases or EASA Form 1 under supervision.

This variety ensures the engineer stays competent in real work conditions. The EASA user guide explicitly notes that the experience must be on a comprehensive combination of tasks, not just on-the-job training exercises or stand-alone courses. In practice, a good way to meet recency is to participate regularly in actual maintenance jobs – for example, alternating between line/aperiodic tasks and scheduled base maintenance.

Multi-Category and Component Recency

B1/B2 certifying staff often hold multiple ratings. EASA requires that recency be established for each category or rating held. In other words, if an engineer has both B1.1 (airframe/engine) and B2 (avionics) authorisations, their 6-month experience must include activities relevant to each category. The EASA user guide clarifies that for combination ratings (e.g. B1+B2, B1+B3) the recorded experience “shall include some activities in each category (held or intended to be granted)”. For example, a B1/B2 technician must accumulate time working on both mechanical (B1) and electronic (B2) tasks across the two-year window.

Similarly, Component Certifying Staff (C‐rating Environment) have their own recency requirements. A certifying staff with component endorsements (C1 through C22) must exercise the certification privileges on components corresponding to each rating. That is, the 6 months of experience should include actual component work for each C-rating held. The same logic applies to engine (B3) or specialized services (D) endorsements: you must perform relevant tasks or inspections in those areas to remain current. In practice, this often means splitting time or logbook entries between aircraft-level maintenance and component shop work, so that both activities are documented. The EASA guidance emphasizes that multi-role engineers must demonstrate competence in all areas they are authorised for, else their authorisations would be incomplete.

Similar Technology Privilege

EASA Part-145 allows some flexibility by permitting “similar aircraft/engine/component” to count toward recency, provided the Maintenance Organisation Exposition (MOE) defines those similarities. For example, experience on one airframe model may count toward another model if both are declared “similar” in the MOE (due to comparable technology, systems, and structure). If an AMO uses this “similar technology” privilege, at least 30% of the recorded experience must explicitly cover each group of similar types. In other words, you cannot just train on one type and assume full credit for another – a substantial portion of your maintenance time must be on each declared similar aircraft or engine group. These definitions and percentages must be agreed with the authority and documented in the organization’s procedures. Note also that experience gained outside the EU (e.g. on an identical non‑EASA type) may be accepted, but it must still reflect the approved similarity rules.

Record-Keeping and Experience Logbook

To manage recency, both organizations and individuals should maintain detailed records of maintenance tasks. EASA even provides a Maintenance Experience Logbook (TE.CAO.00129) template to record certifying staff activity. This logbook can be used by Part-145 organisations to document each engineer’s tasks, hours, and work scope, thereby proving the 6-month requirement. (See EASA guidance: “Foreign part 145 approvals – Maintenance experience logbook” TE.CAO.00129.) In practice, the logbook entries include dates, aircraft/type/serial numbers, tasks performed, and remarks. Organizations often incorporate this into a digital system or Excel tracking sheet. Aviathrust can assist your company by customizing the standard EASA logbook to fit your operations (e.g. adding company logos, extra fields) for a competitive fee. Keeping clear records ensures that when the authority inspects or when renewing authorization, the AMO can demonstrate compliance easily.

Professional Support and Continuous Compliance: 

Maintaining recency is a regulatory must, but implementing it efficiently is complex. While this article outlines the key EASA requirements, in practice each AMO needs tailored procedures and continual oversight. At Aviathrust, we specialize in Part-145 compliance. We can help design your certification authorisation process, develop tailored logbooks/training records, and audit your certifying staff for full compliance. With up-to-date expertise beyond what’s publicly documented, our team ensure your B1/B2 staff maintain recency correctly. Contact us for in-depth guidance and custom solutions that keep your organization fully compliant under EASA Part-145.