Recognition of Foreign AME Licences
The CAA will recognise valid foreign AME Licences issued by ICAO contracting states, as the basis for issue of a New Zealand aircraft maintenance engineer licence (AMEL).
This is on the following provisos
- CAA has confidence in, and understands that ICAO state's AMEL system.
- As part of the application you must supply an “address for service” in New Zealand. For further information refer to the web page – Address for Service
- Note the following:
- The FAA A&P Certificate, or other ICAO state licences based on the FAA Certificate are not recognised.
- EASA/JAA Category A licences are not recognised.
- Examination credits without a licence are not accepted.
In general, engineers will be required to sit and pass New Zealand written and oral air law exams, though each application is taken on its own merits and other examinations may be required.
The CAA does not offer an individual assessment service prior to application.
AC 66-1 outlines the requirements to gain an AMEL. The AC is an expansion of Civil Aviation Rule Part 66 and outlines the subjects that are required for the issue of a licence. AC66-2.1a contains the syllabus information for these subjects.
For further information refer to the web page - Getting a licence
The CAA contracts Aviation Services Limited (ASL) to assess foreign AMELs for the issue of New Zealand AMELs. A copy of your licence, the appropriate forms and the fee should be forwarded to the CAA for assessment.
ASL does offer a pre-application assessment service. This is not mandatory but will advise which ratings are recognised and which examinations are required. Contact ASL direct for details.
Steps to have your foreign licence transferred
- You must hold a current ICAO state AME licence - refer to above provisos.
- Complete application Form CAA 24066-04 - with fee of $399.00
- Complete a Fit and Proper Person Questionnaire CAA 24FFP
- Provide a certified copy of your licence (and copies of related experience logs and authorisations that you have)
- In general, the minimum subjects you will be required to sit Air Law, Written (subject 20) and Oral (subject 21).
- Australian (CASA) AMEL holders need only sit Written Air Law (subject 20)
- You may be required to sit additional subjects - e.g. Compass Compensation and Human Factors, depending on your foreign licence requirements.
- The fee for exams is: $175 per written exam and $249 per oral exam - apply directly to ASL on Form ASL 012
- Assessment of Foreign Licence is carried out by ASL. They will correspond with the client if they require further information, and give information about exam dates and venues.
Note: The process does not have to be done in this order. You can sit examinations prior to application, but you must sit the examinations in New Zealand.