The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand

Advisory Circular

Guidelines for AMO Training Program

Approval Process

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reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or
transmitted in any form or by any means, without prior permission for The Civil Aviation
Authority of Thailand.
 CAAT
Advisory Airworthiness Section
 
Circular
Guidelines for AMO Training Program Approval Process
AC AW-03-TP Date 6 October 2016
Advisory Circular Owner: AIR (CAAT)
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page number

1. Purpose 4

2. Status of this Advisory Circular 4

3. Effective Date 4

4. Applicability 4

5. Related Regulations 4

6. Related Publications 4

7. Definitions & Acronyms 4

8. Background 5

9. Guidance and Procedures 6

10. Indoctrination, Initial, Recurrent, Specialized And Remedial Training 6

11. Dangerous Goods Training Program 8

12. Curriculum Components 9

13. Training Competency and Documentation 9

14. The Approval Process 10

15. Phase One - Initiating the Approval Process 11

16. Phase Two – Request For Initial Approval 11

16.4 Additional Relevant Supporting Information 12

16.5 Initial Review of Requests for Approval 13

17. Phase Three - In-Depth Review of submitted Curriculum 13

18. Phase Four - Evaluating Initially Approved Training Curriculum 14

19. Phase Five - Granting Final Approval 14

APPENDIX 1:TABLE OF EMPLOYEE COMPETENCIES ASSESSMENT 15

 
 CAAT
Advisory Airworthiness Section
Circular  

Guidelines for AMO Training Program Approval Process

AC AW-03-TP Date 6 October 2016
Advisory Circular Owner: AIR (CAAT)
 

AC AW-03-TP
6 October 2016

Advisory Circular
Guidelines for AMO Training Program Approval Process
1. PURPOSE. This Advisory Circular is issued to provide guidance on the approval process for an
AMO Training Program.

2. STATUS OF THIS ADVISORY CIRCULAR. This AC is an original issuance.

3. EFFECTIVE DATE. This AC is effective from 13 October 2016

4. APPLICABILITY. This AC is applicable to any member of the aviation industry, including aircraft
maintenance personnel and organizations and manufacturers.

5. RELATED REGULATIONS.

 ADCA 145
 Air Operator Certificate Requirements (AOCR) Chapter 8, Section 6.2.4
 RCAB NO.77
 ADCA on licence validation of the contracting state in Chicago convention in
accordance with the privileges endorsed on the licence

6. RELATED PUBLICATIONS.
 ICAO Document 7192 Part D-1 Training Manual
 
7. DEFINITIONS AND ACRONYMS.

7.1 The following definitions are used in this circular

Applicable means relevant to any aircraft, component or process specified in the AMO’s
approval class rating schedule and in any associated capability list.

Authority means the CAAT unless otherwise specified.

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 CAAT
Advisory Airworthiness Section
Circular  

Guidelines for AMO Training Program Approval Process

AC AW-03-TP Date 6 October 2016
Advisory Circular Owner: AIR (CAAT)
 

    Organization. This refers to an approved maintenance organization, unless

otherwise specified.

7.2 The following acronyms are used in this circular

AC Advisory Circular

    AMO    Approved Maintenance Organization  

    ATO    Approved Training Organization  

CAA    Civil Aviation Authority 

CAAT The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand

CDCCL Critical Design Configuration Control Limitation

EASA European Aviation Safety Agency

EWIS Electrical Wiring Interconnection Systems

FAA Federal Aviation Administration (United States)

ICAO International Civil Aviation Organization

OJT On-the-job-training

8. BACKGROUND

8.1 CAAT announcement on Repair Station Approval requires an AMO to have an employee
training program approved by the Authority. The training program should consist of
indoctrination, initial, recurrent, specialized and remedial training.

8.2 The AMO should carry out an assessment of the training needs of its personnel,
including certifying personnel, and develop and update its training program based on the
tasks associated with its scope of operating authority and capabilities.

8.3 The training program should ensure that each employee assigned to perform preventive
maintenance, or alterations, and inspection functions is capable of performing the
assigned task.

8.4 The AMO is required to document, in a form and manner acceptable to the Authority, the
individual employee training required under CAAT announcement on Repair Station
Approval and should retain such records for a minimum of two (2) years.

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 CAAT
Advisory Airworthiness Section
Circular  

Guidelines for AMO Training Program Approval Process

AC AW-03-TP Date 6 October 2016
Advisory Circular Owner: AIR (CAAT)
 

8.5 Revisions of the training program should be submitted to the Authority for approval.

9. GUIDANCE AND PROCEDURES

9.1 The holder of an AMO Certificate is required to establish a training program for his/her
maintenance and certifying staff which can be included in the Maintenance Organization
Exposition (MOE) or a separate document and submit it for approval by the Authority.
This program will include the curriculum and standards for training, as well as the pre-
qualification standards for the personnel that will attend the training.

9.2 The program should specify the level of training required for each individual as a
function of his/her experience and address the work he/she is expected or authorized to
perform. In many cases the work may be complex and require the use of specialized
equipment. In such cases, required training may range from on-the-job training (OJT) to
formal classroom training and appropriate examinations. In every case, the program
should provide sufficient training for each individual to enable him to competently
perform the work he is authorized to perform.

9.3 An AMO is required to have a training program for all maintenance and inspection
personnel; however, a small organization would not be expected to duplicate all of the
facilities provided by a large AMO. Training of the certifying staff may be performed
by the AMO or an aviation training organization (ATO).

10. INDOCTRINATION, INITIAL, RECURRENT, SPECIALISED AND REMEDIAL

TRAINING

10.1 An AMO’s training program shall provide indoctrination training for employees that
includes at least 40 hours of instruction in at least the following subjects

(a) Regulations, particularly those associated with AMO’s maintenance functions

and authority as reflected on the certificate and operations specifications;

(b) Company manuals, policies, procedures and practices, including quality control
processes, particularly those associated with ensuring compliance with
maintenance (including inspection), preventive maintenance, and established
alteration procedures;

(c) Dangerous goods training and other local and international training required for
different categories of employees;

(d) Maintenance human factors with the elements focusing on aviation maintenance,
and safety related issues;

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 CAAT
Advisory Airworthiness Section
Circular  

Guidelines for AMO Training Program Approval Process

AC AW-03-TP Date 6 October 2016
Advisory Circular Owner: AIR (CAAT)
 

(e) Computer systems and software as applicable to the repair station’s

maintenance (including inspection, preventive maintenance and alteration
systems and procedures); and

(f) Facility security, which shall include company security objectives, specific
security procedures, employee responsibilities, actions to take in the event of a
security breach, and the organizational security structure.

10.2 An AMO is required to provide initial training for employees that includes at least 80
hours of instruction in at least the following subjects consistent with the specific
employee position and assigned job activities –

(a) General review;

(b) Specific job or task training;

(c) Shop safety;

(d) Records and record keeping;

(e) Materials and parts;

(f) Test equipment, including ground support equipment;

(g) Tools;

(h) Maintenance human factors; and

(i) Any other items required by the Authority.

10.3 Where a maintenance organization is maintaining large aircraft, its maintenance

personnel should undergo additional training in EWIS and fuel tank safety as well as
associated inspection standards, and maintenance procedures should be required for
maintenance organization’s technical personnel, especially technical personnel
involved in the compliance of CDCCL tasks. (Note: FAA AC 25-27A, AC 120-94, and EASA
AMC20-22 address EWIS, while FAA SFAR 88 addresses Fuel Tank Safety).

10.4 An approved maintenance organization is required to provide recurrent training for

employees that include at least eight hours of instruction in the following subjects -

(a) Refresher of subjects covered in initial training;

(b) New items introduced in the approved maintenance organization since

completion of initial training; and,

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 CAAT
Advisory Airworthiness Section
Circular  

Guidelines for AMO Training Program Approval Process

AC AW-03-TP Date 6 October 2016
Advisory Circular Owner: AIR (CAAT)
 

(c) Any other items required by the Authority.

10.5 An AMO is required to provide specialized training, including initial and recurrent, for
employees whose duties require a specific skill.

10.6 The AMO is also required to provide remedial training to rectify an employee’s
demonstrated lack of knowledge or skill by providing information as soon as
possible.

11. DANGEROUS GOODS TRAINING PROGRAMME

11.1 An AMO should have a dangerous goods training program for its employees, whether full
time, part time, or temporary or contracted who are engaged in the following activities

(a) Loading, unloading or handling of dangerous goods;

(b) Design, manufacture, fabrication, inspection, marking, maintenance,

reconditions, repairs or tests of a package, container or packaging component
that is represented, marked, certified, or sold as qualified for use in transporting
dangerous goods;

(c) Preparation of hazardous materials for transport;

(d) Responsibility for the safety of transportation of dangerous goods;

(e) Operation of a vehicle used to transport dangerous goods; or

(f) Supervision of any of the above listed items.

11.2 An AMO employee should not perform or directly supervise an activity under paragraph
11.1 unless he or she has received the approved dangerous goods training.

11.3 The AMO training program should ensure that its dangerous goods training -

(a) Ensures that each employee performing or directly supervising any of the
activities specified at paragraph 11.1 is trained to comply with all applicable
procedures; and,

(b) Enables the trained person to recognize items that contain, or may contain,
dangerous goods regulated under the Civil Aviation Regulations.

11.4 An AMO shall document, in a form and manner acceptable to the Authority, the
individual employee training required and shall retain these records for a minimum of
two (2) years.

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 CAAT
Advisory Airworthiness Section
Circular  

Guidelines for AMO Training Program Approval Process

AC AW-03-TP Date 6 October 2016
Advisory Circular Owner: AIR (CAAT)
 

12. CURRICULUM COMPONENTS

12.1 An acceptable curriculum will consist of at least the following elements:

(a) Subjects, appropriate ratings requested;

(b) Course content, appropriate to ratings requested;

(c) Objective testing and grading criteria;

(d) Theoretical/practical knowledge appropriate to ratings requested;

(e) Total number of hours required for successful completion;

(f) A schedule of required tests, which indicates the sequence of examinations for
each subject in the curriculum;

(g) The order of instruction for each subject element; and

(h) Name of instructor(s).

12.2 If there is any change to the curriculum, the AMO will be required to have such change
approved by the Authority.

13. TRAINING COMPETENCY AND DOCUMENTATION

13.1 An AMO is required to assess the competency of each employee for performing his or her
assigned duties after completion of initial, recurrent, specialized and remedial training. The
assessment of competency should be appropriately documented in the employee’s training
records by any of the following methods, depending upon the size of the AMO, its
capabilities and experience of its employees -

(a) Written test;

(b) Completion of a training course;

(c) Skill test;

(d) Group exercise;

(e) On the job assessment; and,

(f) Oral examination in the working environment.

13.2 Competence assessment procedure

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 CAAT
Advisory Airworthiness Section
Circular  

Guidelines for AMO Training Program Approval Process

AC AW-03-TP Date 6 October 2016
Advisory Circular Owner: AIR (CAAT)
 

13.2.1 The AMO should develop a procedure describing the process of competence
assessment of personnel. The procedure should specify:

(a) Persons responsible for this process;

(b) When the assessment should take place;

(c) Credits from previous assessment;

(d) Validation of qualification records;

(e) Means and methods for the assessment;

(f) Means and methods for the continuous control of competence

including feedback on personnel performance;

(g) Competences to be observed during the assessment in relation with each

job function;

(h) Actions to be taken when assessment is not satisfactory; and,

(i) Recording of assessment results.

13.2.2 For example, according to the job functions and the scope, size and complexity
of the organization, the assessment may consider the following though not
exhaustive. (See Appendix 1: Table of Employee Competencies)

14. THE APPROVAL PROCESS

14.1 Training curriculum approval follows a five phase process. The basic steps of this
process should be followed. Each phase, however, may be adjusted to accommodate
existing circumstances. Training curricula which have been granted approval and later
found either to be in conflict with regulatory requirements or to be ineffective would need
to be appropriately modified by the organization.

14.2 When the Authority determines that a training curriculum or curriculum segment meets
the requirements for approval, an initial approval will be issued with an appropriate
expiry date.

14.3 During the period of initial approval, an operator would be testing and refining his
program to ensure that the detailed requirements for the final approval are met.
However, if there are significant revisions to the program the operator would need to
re-apply to the Authority for approval. Final approval will only be granted after the
Authority has successfully evaluated the training in the demonstration and inspection phase.

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 CAAT
Advisory Airworthiness Section
Circular  

Guidelines for AMO Training Program Approval Process

AC AW-03-TP Date 6 October 2016
Advisory Circular Owner: AIR (CAAT)
 

15. PHASE ONE - INITIATING THE APPROVAL PROCESS

15.1 The AMO initiates the training approval process where –

15.1.1 The AMO informs the Authority that it is planning to establish a new training
curriculum or to change an existing curriculum, or;

15.1.2 The Authority informs the AMO that revisions to its training program are
required based on recently acquired information relative to training
techniques, aviation technology, operator’s performance, or regulatory changes.

15.2 When a proposal is initiated by the AMO, it should submit the following basic
information:

(a) Type of equipment

(b) Proposed training schedules

(c) Proposed contract raining, if any

(d) Facilities to be used.

16. PHASE TWO – REQUEST FOR INITIAL APPROVAL

16.1 Phase 2 begins when the AMO submits its training curriculum for initial approval to the
Authority. The AMO should submit to the Authority an outline of each curriculum
segment and any additional relevant supporting information requested by the Authority.
These should be accompanied by a letter requesting approval of the training
curriculum. The curriculum may be a section of the MOE or a separate document.

16.2 An AMO must submit its own specific curriculum outlines appropriate for the ratings
requested. Each curriculum should be easy to revise and should contain a method for
controlling revisions, such as a revision numbering system, if not part of the MOE.

16.3 Each curriculum outline should include the following information:

(a) AMO Name

(b) Title of curriculum including the category of training, such as indoctrination,

initial or continuation training

(c) Consecutive page numbers

(d) Page revision control dates and revision numbers.

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 CAAT
Advisory Airworthiness Section
Circular  

Guidelines for AMO Training Program Approval Process

AC AW-03-TP Date 6 October 2016
Advisory Circular Owner: AIR (CAAT)
 

(e) Each curriculum should also include the following details, as appropriate:

i. Pre-requisites prescribed by the Regulations or required by the AMO for

enrolment in the curriculum;

ii. Statements of objectives of the entire curriculum and a statement of the

objective of each curriculum segment;

iii. A list of training devices required;

iv. An outline of each training module within each curriculum segment

(Each module should contain sufficient detail to ensure that the main
features of the principal elements or events will be addressed during
instructions.);

v. Training hours that will be applied to each curriculum segment and the
total curriculum;

vi. The means for checking/testing of the modules used to determine

successful course completion;

vii. Name and qualification of instructors assigned to each module.

16.4 Additional Relevant Supporting Information

16.4.1 The following list of supporting information is not all-inclusive, but includes
typical information in support of an application for a training program
approval.

(a) A description of facilities.

(b) A list of instructors and their qualifications.

(c) A detailed description of each training device.

(d) A detailed description of minimum student qualifications and enrolment

prerequisites.

(e) Samples of training forms and records to be used for recording student
progress and the completion of training. These forms, records, or
computer transmittal worksheets must be designed so that attendance and
course completion information is recorded and retrievable for verifying
regulatory compliance;

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 CAAT
Advisory Airworthiness Section
Circular  

Guidelines for AMO Training Program Approval Process

AC AW-03-TP Date 6 October 2016
Advisory Circular Owner: AIR (CAAT)
 

(f) Supporting information may include samples of courseware, such as

training modules/lesson plans and instructor guides. Description of
other types of courseware, such as home study, computer based
instruction, should be in enough detail to provide an understanding of
how the training will be administered and of the proposed instructional
delivery method. This information should describe the instructor/student
interaction and indicate methods for measuring student learning.
16.5 Initial Review of Requests for Approval

In Phase two, the Authority will review the submitted training curriculum and supporting
information for completeness, general content, and overall quality. If the submission is
determined to be incomplete or obviously unacceptable, the approval process is terminated
and the documents returned to the AMO with a written explanation of the deficiencies.
The approval process can be resumed when the revised training curriculum or curriculum
segment is resubmitted.

17. PHASE THREE: IN-DEPTH REVIEW OF SUBMITTED CURRICULUM

17.1 Phase 3 is initiated when the Authority begins a detailed analysis and evaluation of a training
curriculum or curriculum segment. The purpose of this phase is to determine the
acceptability of training curricula for initial approval. The Authority will review the
submission against the following:

(a) Regulatory requirements;

(b) Complexity of the specific aircraft or component;

(c) Complexity of the type of operation involved;

(d) Amount of detail that needs to be covered;

(e) The experience and knowledge level of the students;

(f) The performance of the AMO’s entire training program (including items such as
instructor proficiency, training aids, facilities, courseware and the
organization’s experience with the aircraft.)

17.2 After completing the review and having determined that the curriculum or curriculum
segment is satisfactory, adequately supported, and that the training hours are realistic,
initial approval would be granted.

17.3 This phase ends either with the initial approval or with the rejection of all or part of the
training curriculum.

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 CAAT
Advisory Airworthiness Section
Circular  

Guidelines for AMO Training Program Approval Process

AC AW-03-TP Date 6 October 2016
Advisory Circular Owner: AIR (CAAT)
 

18. PHASE FOUR - EVALUATING INITIALLY APPROVED TRAINING CURRICULUM

18.1 Phase 4 begins when the organization starts training under the initially approved
curriculum during the Demonstration and Inspection Phase. This phase should
provide the AMO with adequate time to test the program and the flexibility to adjust
the program during evaluation by the Authority. An AMO should provide ongoing
schedules of all training and checking to be accomplished under an initially approved
training curriculum.

18.2 Sometimes proposed revisions may be transmitted to the Authority just before the initial
approval expiration date. If the change is significant, the Authority may need to establish a
different expiration date for the curriculum segment, or for the revised portions, to allow
adequate time for a proper evaluation.

18.3 An inspection of training facilities, training devices, and instructional aids will be
performed by the CAAT Inspector.

18.4 During Phase 4, the organization will be required to demonstrate the ability to
effectively train maintenance and inspection personnel. There are four (4) main
elements that will be evaluated when assessing the overall effectiveness of training
programs. These four elements are:

(a) Curriculum segment outlines;

(b) Courseware;

(c) Instructional delivery methods and training environment;

(d) Testing and checking.

18.5 Each deficiency identified during the evaluation of training conducted under an
initially approved curriculum will be discussed with the AMO. If the deficiencies are
significant, they will be documented and kept on file. Each significant deficiency
identified would need to be immediately corrected. If an organization does not take
corrective action within a mutually acceptable timeframe, the Authority would advise
the AMO in writing that initial approval is withdrawn.

19. PHASE FIVE - GRANTING FINAL APPROVAL

This phase involves the granting of final approval of an AMO’s training curriculum. Based on the
results of the evaluation, the Authority will determine whether to grant or deny final
approval of a training curriculum.

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 CAAT
Advisory Airworthiness Section
Circular  

Guidelines for AMO Training Program Approval Process

AC AW-03-TP Date 6 October 2016
Advisory Circular Owner: AIR (CAAT)
 

APPENDIX 1: TABLE OF EMPLOYEES COMPETENCIES ASSESSMENT

 

AND SUPPORT STAFF

CERTIFYING STAFF

QUALITY AUDIT
SERVICE STAFF
SPECIALISED
SUPERVISOR
MANAGERS

MECHANIC
PLANNERS

STAFF
Knowledge of applicable officially recognized standards X X

Knowledge of auditing techniques: Planning, conducting and

X
reporting
Knowledge of human factors, human performance and
X X X X X X X
limitations
Knowledge of logistics process X X X
Knowledge of organization’s capabilities, privileges and
X X X X X X
limitations
Knowledge of Continuing Airworthiness, AMOs, and any other
X X X X X
relevant regulations
Knowledge of relevant parts of the maintenance organization’s
X X X X X X X
MOE/Exposition and procedures.
Knowledge of occurrence reporting system and understanding of
the importance of reporting occurrences, incorrect maintenance
data and existing maintenance data and existing or potential
defects Knowledge of occurrence reporting system and X X X X X
understanding of the importance of reporting occurrences,
incorrect maintenance data and existing maintenance data and
existing or potential defects
Knowledge of safety risks linked to the working environment X X X X X X X

Knowledge on CDCCL when relevant X X X X X X X

Knowledge on EWIS when relevant X X X X X X X

Understanding of professional integrity, behaviour and attitude X
X X X X X X
towards safety  
Understanding of conditions for ensuring continuing
X X
airworthiness of aircraft and components

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 CAAT
Advisory Airworthiness Section
Circular  

Guidelines for AMO Training Program Approval Process

AC AW-03-TP Date 6 October 2016
Advisory Circular Owner: AIR (CAAT)
 

AND SUPPORT STAFF

CERTIFYING STAFF

QUALITY AUDIT
SERVICE STAFF
SPECIALISED
SUPERVISOR
MANAGERS

MECHANIC
PLANNERS

STAFF
Understanding of his/her own human performance and limitations X X X X X X X

Understanding of personnel authorizations and limitations X X X X X X X

Understanding critical task X X X X X

Ability to compile and control completed work cards X X X

Ability to determine required qualifications for task performance X X X X X

Ability to identify and rectify existing and potential unsafe
X X
conditions
Ability to confirm proper accomplishment of maintenance tasks X X X X

Ability to identify and properly plan performance of critical task X X X

Ability to prioritize tasks and report discrepancies X X X X

Ability to process the work requested by the operator X X X

Ability to promote the safety and quality policy X X

Ability to properly process removed uninstalled and rejected
X X X X
parts
Ability to properly record and sign for work accomplished X X X X
Ability to recognize the acceptability of parts to be installed prior
X X
to fitment
Ability to split complex maintenance tasks into clear stages X
Ability to understand work orders, work cards and refer to and use
X X X X X X
applicable maintenance data
Ability to use, control and be familiar with required tooling and/or
X X X X X
equipment

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 CAAT
Advisory Airworthiness Section
Circular  

Guidelines for AMO Training Program Approval Process

AC AW-03-TP Date 6 October 2016
Advisory Circular Owner: AIR (CAAT)
 

AND SUPPORT STAFF

CERTIFYING STAFF

QUALITY AUDIT
SERVICE STAFF
SPECIALISED
SUPERVISOR
MANAGERS

MECHANIC
PLANNERS

STAFF
Adequate communication and literacy skills X X X X X X X

Analytical and proven auditing skills (for example, or equipment X X X X

Adequate communication and literacy skills X X X X X X X

Analytical and proven auditing skills (for example, objectivity,
X
fairness, open-mindedness, determination,...)
Maintenance error investigation skills X

Resources management and production planning skills X X X

Teamwork, decision-making and leadership skills X X

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