If you run an aviation maintenance training organisation (MTO), EASA Part 147 is the regulation that governs nearly every aspect of your operation — from how you enrol students to how you issue Certificates of Recognition. And yet, when it comes to software tools built specifically for Part 147 compliance, the market remains surprisingly thin.
This article explains what Part 147 requires, why generic learning management systems fall short, and what a purpose-built aviation training management system needs to do.
What is EASA Part 147?
EASA Part 147 is the European Union Aviation Safety Agency regulation that sets the standards for organisations approved to provide aircraft maintenance training. It covers:
- Basic training for EASA Part 66 aircraft maintenance licences (categories A, B1, B2, B3, C)
- Type training for specific aircraft types
- Continuation training for licenced engineers
Any organisation delivering these programmes must hold a Part 147 approval issued by their national aviation authority (NAA) or EASA directly. The approval is only maintained if the organisation can demonstrate ongoing compliance — which means accurate records, auditable processes, and evidence of continuous quality oversight.
What Does Part 147 Actually Require?
The regulation is detailed, but the core operational requirements for a Part 147 MTO come down to six areas:
1. Student Enrolment and Personnel Records
Every student must have a complete record covering their entry qualifications, training history, examination results, and any credits applied against the syllabus. These records must be retained and available for inspection.
2. Course and Examination Scheduling
Part 147 requires that training is conducted according to an approved programme. Scheduling deviations, make-up sessions, and examination resits must be tracked and documented.
3. Examination Management and Question Banks
Written examinations must meet minimum standards for question coverage across the Part 66 syllabus modules. Managing a compliant question bank — with proper categorisation, difficulty weighting, and module tagging — is one of the most time-consuming administrative tasks for any MTO.
4. Attendance Tracking
Minimum attendance requirements apply to most Part 147 basic training programmes. Attendance must be recorded per session and per student, and non-compliance must be flagged before a student proceeds to examination.
5. Certificate of Recognition (CoR)
Upon successful completion of training, the MTO issues a Certificate of Recognition. The content, format, and record-keeping of CoRs is specified by the regulation — and errors can invalidate the certificate.
6. Quality Management and Regulatory Reporting
Part 147 organisations must maintain an internal quality system that monitors compliance across all areas above. Regular audits, findings, and corrective actions must be documented and available to the NAA on request.
Why Generic LMS Software Doesn't Work
Many MTOs start with spreadsheets or generic learning management systems. These tools work — until an audit arrives or the organisation grows.
The problem is that generic LMS software is built for corporate training, not regulatory compliance. It doesn't understand Part 66 module structures, it can't generate a compliant Certificate of Recognition, and it has no concept of a minimum attendance requirement mapped to a regulatory syllabus.
As a result, MTOs using generic tools typically end up maintaining a parallel system of spreadsheets and manual records — which is exactly the kind of fragmented, error-prone environment that leads to audit findings.
What a Part 147 Training Management System Needs to Do
A purpose-built Part 147 software platform should handle the full student lifecycle in a single system:
| Capability | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Enrolment and entry qualification tracking | Demonstrates students meet prerequisites |
| Course and exam scheduling | Maintains the approved training programme |
| Compliant question bank management | Ensures Part 66 syllabus coverage |
| Online examination delivery | Reduces administration, improves security |
| Attendance recording per session | Supports minimum attendance enforcement |
| Automatic CoR generation | Eliminates errors on the most important document you issue |
| Quality audit trail | Gives you and your NAA a single source of truth |
| Multi-role access | Instructors, admins, students, and QMs each see what they need |