Aircraft maintenance training might not be as glamorous as flying a plane, but it sure is a crucial part of keeping the skies safe. Let’s cover the various training schools, what each offers, the cost associated and the types of certification you will gain at each one.
Training schools in the UK:
So, where can you get your Part 66 modules in the UK? Here’s a list of training schools offering a variety of methods, certifications, and ways to make sure you’re not the one responsible for that mysterious light on, on the flight deck.
Resource Group – Offering training over Zoom or self-study notes with exams. Perfect if you love to study in your pants.
Exam centres: Cirencester,Luton or Stansted.
KLM Training – Self-study material at your own pace with exams provided. Great for the procrastinators. You know who you are!
Exam centres: Norwich.
Tigeraviation – Classroom training and exams designed around rotary aircraft. If you’re the type of person who likes to sleep to the sound of a teacher droning, this is your jam. Desks make such good pillows, right?
Exam centres: ShobdonAirfield, Leominster, Herefordshire.
Airservicetraining Perth (AST) – Classroom training with exams. Need more in-person instruction? These guys have got you covered. Sorry to break it to you, though, it’s not the Perth you’re hoping for.
Exam centres: Perth, Manchester.
Part66.com – The International Centre for Aerospace Training (ICAT). Offering an online platform with various courses. They have an in-house training programme. However, you need to enrol as it’s a college course. You are still able to buy their training materials (which are excellent, by the way) and sit open exams at £40 each.
Exam centres: ICAT Cardiff.
Aviation Online – No exams, just training materials. Ideal for the self-starter who prefers to go at their own pace without the rush. Who needs pressure, right?
Exam centres: Exams must be taken at the CAA exam centres.
Total Training Support (TTS) – is designed mainly to be contracted by your company to come in-house and teach up to 10 students. So, although they offer in-class teaching, it’s not really designed for the individual student.
Training materials and practice exams via Club66Pro. Think of it as a Part 66 for Dummies – but in a cool, non-demeaning way.
Speaking of their Club66Pro exam bank, it is an excellent resource for mock tests. Their questions are designed around the CAA exam format. They can be used in the build-up to your exam as a tool to highlight deficiencies in your knowledge.
Exam centres: This company doesn’t offer exams so they must be taken at the CAA exam centres.
EASA or CAA modules offered at each school
Let’s face it: Some of us only need the prestigious UK CAA’s stamp of approval, while others only need a European certification (EASA). That is, if you’d like to work abroad.
It’s all about your future job prospects. If you’re never going to leave the UK, CAA Certificates will do. If you plan on flying to places where they like to use different regulations, then EASA is the one for you. Here’s the breakdown:
- Resource Group, KLM, AST & Tigeraviation: Offer CAA and EASA certification. The EASA syllabus has recently been updated, and the CAA and EASA guidelines differ in some modules. Separate exams will be required if you need both certificates.
- Part66.com, Aviation Online and TTS: Exams must be taken at the CAA exam centres, which only offer CAA certificates.
Cost per module
So, how much is this all going to cost?
Well, each training provider has its own pricing structure, but there’s a general trend: you’ll be paying more for longer modules. Typically, you’ll pay around £300-£400 per week of tuition, depending on the length and complexity of the course.
Self-study options are much more affordable if you’re a self-starter and prefer studying at your own pace.
Expect to pay about £50-£100 for course materials per module. And for those going to sit the CAA exams—currently priced around £54—that’s the cost of earning your qualification at the exam centre. All in all, it’s an investment. And where better to invest in than yourself?
Training standards
As with anything in life, some schools have a higher reputation than others. You don’t want to end up at a training school that doesn’t quite match your study style. Here’s how the training standards stack up:
- Resource Group: Generally okay, but their courses have become a bit rushed over the years. Combine this with all their courses being delivered remotely, and you will end up with subpar training. You’ll get the certificate if you study hard, but it feels like you are learning just to pass the exam. Convenient? Yup. Effective? Nope.
- KLM: Excellent reputation for quality training. It is unfortunate that you cannot sit in person. However, their training materials are very good.
- Tigeraviation : Known for its great instructors and classroom atmosphere.
- AST Perth: Slow-paced training, which feels like the courses are given the right amount of time to get through the content. It is just a shame their training centres are so far away from most students.
- Part66.com: Very solid training. Their module books are great value for money and are well put together. It would be a great all-rounder if you could sit their classroom courses in a modular fashion.
- Aviation Online: Great resources. However, with TTS in existence, it’s difficult to see the benefits of using them unless your company is making a group booking and bringing the instructors in-house.
- TTS: Great resources coupled with such an excellent exam bank. This is the self-study go-to favourite. No other training provider offers such a good exam bank. This can be the only way for some people to feel comfortable revising.
Length of courses offered
Some people want to dive in, get the knowledge, and get out fast. In contrast, others like to take their time (and let’s be honest, sometimes we need a few extra hours to digest all that technical jargon). So, how do the training providers stack up regarding course length?
- Resource Group: Unlike AST Perth, Resource Group offers shorter module durations, which can sometimes feel a bit rushed. You’ll be cramming a lot of information quickly, so it’s advisable to do some pre-reading to help keep pace.
- AST Perth: The modules here tend to be a bit longer, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. There’s a lot of material to cover, and the extra time spent means you’ll be well-prepared for the more challenging content down the road.
- Tigeraviation: This company utilises AST from Perth, so expect the same experience.
- Part66.com, Aviation Online, KLM and TTS: Offers a flexible, self-paced option, so if you’re a night owl (or just someone who prefers to study at their own rhythm), this one’s for you.
You’re in the driver’s seat here. This option has no set time limit, giving you the freedom to work through the materials at your own pace. Just be careful not to leave it too long—you don’t want to forget everything before you finish.
Zero-Hero training courses
Ever dreamt of going from zero knowledge to aviation hero? Some training schools offer Zero-Hero courses, where you start with zero experience and become a fully qualified aircraft mechanic by the end. If that sounds like your kind of challenge, here’s who has got your back:
AST Perth offers a Zero-Hero course that’s particularly popular among ex-military personnel or those with deep pockets (and we mean deep!). The course lasts around 6 months, during which you’ll cover all the theoretical training required, followed by exams after each section.
The catch? You’ll need to pay for somewhere and stay in Perth for the course, and since you’re not earning while you’re learning, it can be a costly commitment. So, make sure your bank account is ready for the ride.
If you’re not quite ready for a 6-month, full-time commitment, there’s an alternative approach. You can take the modular route through the other training schools or AST, completing each exam as you go. This method is more flexible—you can spread the modules over 1 to 3 years while working.
You can even get your employer to cover the costs of each module or assist with time off for study. While the Zero-Hero course is more expensive and requires full dedication (with no earnings for about 6 months), it can be an excellent investment if you think of fast-forwarding to the potential earnings of a licensed engineer.
Ultimately, whether you’re ready for a full-time, immersive course or prefer a more gradual, work-friendly approach, there are options to help you go from zero to aviation pro!
How do I book CAA exams, and where can I sit them?
It used to be that you had to travel to the home of the CAA in Gatwick to sit exams. They have slowly expanded this list to include four extra UK exam centres and one randomly in Malaysia. Here are the UK venues:
Gatwick Airport
Luton Airport
Ayrshire College
Gloucestershire Airport
Oxford Airport
When booking your CAA exams, you need to register on their online portal, and you can start making bookings there. It’s a handy portal to create an account on, as you can use it in the future to manage your licence, add type ratings, etc.
Conclusion
Choosing a Part 66 training school can be overwhelming. You must ensure it’s reliable, offers the right course options, and gets you to your destination. Whether you’re looking for in-person lessons, online flexibility, or international certification, the UK offers a range of schools to meet your needs. Just remember, whatever school you pick, don’t skimp on studying. Future-you will thank you.
If self-study is your choice and you want to keep costs low, TTS combined with CAA exam centres is your best bet. For convenience and speed, Resource Group is the way to go.
However, if you prefer classroom learning and a more thorough, unhurried training experience, the extra cost of travelling to Perth or choosing Tiger Aviation might just be worth it.
