Sofema Aviation takes a deep dive into the core competences of an EASA Part CAMO Engineer.
In Part-145, you follow the AMM or SRM. In a CAMO, you dive deeper and typically interrogate the data that creates those manuals.
To Possess the Skill to Build Manuals:
- You should master the Aircraft Maintenance Program (AMP). You are no longer just performing a task; you are deciding when and why a task exists.
- You need to learn how to analyze the MRB (Maintenance Review Board) and MPD (Maintenance Planning Document) to justify changes to the task intervals based on your fleet’s specific reliability.
- Willing to build competence related to reliability to understand the management of component failures and how hangar findings influence the fleet-wide program.
Master the “Back-to-Birth” Record Audit
As certifying staff, you ensure the current work is signed off. As a CAMO engineer, you must ensure the aircraft’s entire history is legally intact.
- To develop Forensic Traceability skills, means verifying the EASA Form 1 or 8130-3 for all fitted components and for Life Limited Part (LLP) that we have full Back to Birth History
- Understand how to audit “Delivery/Redelivery” binders. This is the highest level of CAMO engineering, ensuring millions of dollars in asset value is protected by a flawless paper trail.
Transition to Proactive Risk Management (SMS)
Part-CAMO introduced a mandatory Safety Management System (SMS). The CAMO’s SMS is typically analytical in nature.
- Paying attention to proactive Hazard Identification rather than just “Error Capture.” In the hangar, you catch an error.
- In the office, you must predict a hazard. For example, if you notice a trend of corroded sensors in the hangar, your CAMO role is to perform a Risk Assessment and potentially create a fleet-wide inspection before a failure occurs.
- To Familiarize yourself with Root Cause Analysis (RCA) methodologies (like the 5 Whys or Fishbone) beyond just “Human Factors.”
Develop Technical Liaison and Contract Oversight
In a 145 environment, your “customer” is the operator. In a CAMO, you are the customer, and you must manage the 145 MRO.
- Develop the ability to write and oversee a Maintenance Contract (Appendix I to Part-M). You must ensure the MRO has the right facilities and capacity before the aircraft arrives.
- Be Able to excel at “Technical Writing” by drafting Engineering Orders (EOs). Ensure they are so precise that a 145 mechanic can execute them without needing to call you for clarification.
Formal EASA Competency Requirements
To be accepted by the National Aviation Authority (NAA) as a CAMO engineer, you typically need to satisfy AMC1 CAMO.A.305(c):
- Maybe you already have the “Practical Experience” from the hangar, but you generally need 5 years in aviation, with a focus on continuing airworthiness.
- You need to prove knowledge of Part-M, Part-21 (for mods/repairs), and Part-CAMO.
- You will need an “EASA Part-CAMO Initial” certificate and, crucially, a Human Factors and Safety Management System (SMS) training certificate.
Next Steps
Join Sofema Aviation for a CAMO Compliance Challenges webinar on Tuesday, 24 March, from 10:30 – 13:00 Sofia time. Register for the webinar here – places are limited, so be sure to secure your spot early.
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continuing airworthiness, Aviation SMS, EASA Part – CAMO, sasblogs, Aircraft Maintenance Program (AMP), National Aviation Authority, Sofema Online (SOL), sofema aviations (SAS), Aviation Career Development
