Aircraft Maintenance Licencing Trial Paving the Way in Wattisham

New members of 71 Company, 7 Aviation Support Battalion (Avn Sp Bn), are paving the way for the future of technical training for REME personnel as part of a pilot scheme, headed by Chief Aircraft Engineer (Army).

In January 2023, Wattisham Flying Station received its first group of twelve dualtraded technicians who are trialling Aircraft Maintenance Licencing (AML) in Army Aviation. Following twelve months of residential training at MOD Lyneham and Resource Group, in Cirencester, the trainees arrived to begin a year of on-the-job training. This will see them complete a Level 3 Diploma in Aviation Maintenance and qualify as Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) A Licence Engineers.

On arrival, the trainees conducted an induction package on the AH-64E and then dispersed across the station to join the 7 Avn Sp Bn Engineering Acceptance Team, 662 and 663 Squadrons and the Workshop Maintenance Group (WMG) at 3 Regt AAC. The traineetechnicians will rotate between the four groups to develop their practical skills, gain experience and learn about the Military Aviation Authority’s policies and regulations to supplement the knowledge they learned from their civilian instructors.

Feedback from the soldiers involved has been very positive so far. One of the trainees participating in the inaugural trial, believes the trial “encourages us to embrace change and step out of our comfort zones to grow, learn and achieve new goals.” another trainee, also said, “it’s a more practical course compared to the one at Lyneham, focusing on developing hand skills and gaining more experience working on an aircraft. Instructors were very knowledgeable and keen to share this and their experiences.” This view is shared across the trainees, another stating that,

“almost all the instructors from Resource Group did time in the military, so I enjoyed getting their perspective on their time as aircraft maintenance engineers.”

As well as training technical skills, the A Licence course has proven to develop the trainees time management, initiative and teamwork. The students offered some advice for the next intake of trainees to “work hard and manage your time properly, the workload can quickly become overwhelming, so ensure you chip away at it slowly throughout the year. Don’t leave revision until the last minute. Also leave time for yourself and the things you enjoy to do. Lastly, work together as a team, help each other revise, test each other on modules, work together in the practical phase and keep group morale up.”

This trial is part of the Chief Aircraft Engineer’s Project TITUS, which aims to foster “sufficient, motivated and professionally effective soldiers who are recognised for the technical complexity of the role and remain suitable enthused by the ‘offer’ to deliver battle winning Army aviation.” A key part of the project, the AML pilot scheme, aims to enhance the retention of aviation technicians, by enabling AML progression throughout individuals’ careers. In addition to the A Licence scheme for new recruits, existing technicians and supervisors are being offered the opportunity to work towards their CAA B Licence. This has been very well received and many individuals across the Station have already taken up the offer. Plans are well underway for the next cohort of trainees to begin their A Licence training with Resource Group this summer and we are looking forward to welcoming them to the Battalion next year.