How to Become an Part-66 Aircraft Licenced Engineer in the UK: The Ultimate Exam Guide

Passing the Part-66 licence exams is an experience that stays with you in the form of flashbacks and a nervous twitch every time someone says module.

It’s not a set of tests. It’s an endurance trial designed to push your brain to its limits and your patience even further. I came out the other end with a licence but left some of my sanity back in module 3.

These exams are no joke. Multiple-choice questions might sound like a breeze, but when all three options look correct, and you’ve stared at the same diagram for twenty minutes, you start questioning your life choices.

And when you think you’re in the clear, they hit you with essays. Yes, essays. If the exams don’t break you, the 90-day wait to resit one after failing just might.

So, buckle up. We’re diving into each module in order, breaking down what it covers, how tough it is, and how likely it will haunt your dreams.

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Modules:

Module 1: Mathematics

Licence Category - B1 & B2

What it covers

This is the appetiser of the licencing feast, where arithmetic, algebra, and geometry are the main course. It’s the maths you grudgingly learned in school, now rebranded with a side of high stakes: a 75% pass mark and just 90 seconds per question.

Oh, and no calculator allowed—because apparently, real engineers do it all in their heads while sweating profusely.

Simple? Sure.

Brutal? Absolutely.

Difficulty Level

★★★★☆
If numbers don’t scare you, you’ll breeze through. If they do, this is your warm-up act. Either way, it’s manageable. Think of it as solving Sudoku puzzles but with actual consequences.

Top Tip:

BBC Bitesize is your best friend with this one!

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Module 2: Physics

Licence Category - B1 & B2

What it covers

Physics explains the why behind everything from airflow to engine heat. Topics include statics, kinetics, thermodynamics, and fluid dynamics—anything that keeps planes up and running (and not crashing).

Difficulty Level

★★★★☆
It’s not rocket science… oh wait, it kind of is. Thermodynamics and fluid dynamics might send you googling how to stop your brain from overheating, but keep calm and calculate.

Top Tip:

The best way to tackle this one is to memorise every equation in the syllabus and know how to apply them. It sounds simple enough, right? Well, it’s not as easy as it seems, but with enough practice and repetition, you’ll be breezing through those formulas like a pro!

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Module 3: Electrical Fundamentals

Licence Category - B1 & B2

What it covers

This module dives into the nitty-gritty of electricity, from how electrons flow to the marvels of AC/DC motors. You’ll explore resistors, capacitors, inductors, and more words ending in ors.

Difficulty Level

★★★★★
It’s as if someone said, “Hey, let’s make circuits exciting by throwing in all the formulas ever created!” Bring your A-game for this one—it’s technical and unforgiving, but essential.

Top Tip:

Can’t go under it, can’t go over it. No tips here, sorry. You just gotta go through it.

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Module 4: Electronic Fundamentals

Licence Category - B1 & B2

What it covers

From semiconductors to printed circuit boards, this moduleis where electronics start to make sense—or at least try to. You’ll also meetservomechanisms that sound fancy but just make things move.

Difficulty Level

★★★☆☆
Slightly less mind-bending than module 3, but it still demands attention. Thinkof it as the sequel that explains a few unanswered questions but still leavesyou scratching your head.

Top Tip:

Electronics can be a tough nut to crack since it’s all theory—after all, you can’t exactly look at electricity! But don’t worry, YouTube is your best friend here. Plenty of solid channels break down complex concepts and help you visualise how everything works, making those circuits and voltages a little easier to understand.

Utilising YouTube channels like eeapplications is a game-changer, as they break down even the most complex theories into short, digestible videos. These channels make tricky concepts much easier to grasp, turning what seems overwhelming into something more manageable and, dare we say, even enjoyable!

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Module 5: Digital Techniques & Electronic Systems

Licence Catagory - B1 & B2

What it covers

Welcome to the 21st century! This module covers microprocessors, fibre optics, and the systems that help modern aircraft practically fly themselves.

Difficulty Level

★★★☆☆

It’s like learning a new language, but you get data buses and multiplexing instead of words. If you’re tech-savvy, you’ll love it. If not, well, buckle up.

Top Tip:

Same as module 4 above↑

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Module 6: Materials and Hardware

Licence Category - B1 & B2

What it covers

Get ready to learn about the stuff planes are made of—metals, composites, and fasteners galore. This module is a hardware store on steroids, from rivets to control cables.

Difficulty Level

★★☆☆☆
Straightforward and hands-on. If you like the idea of learning which bolt goes where, this module will feel like a walk through the DIY aisle at your local shop.

Top Tip:

Flashcards are a must for this one—they’ll help you remember everything from the different types of rivets to their material specifications. It’s all about repetition! There’s nothing complicated here, and Quizlet is your bestfriend in ensuring those details stick. Just keep reviewing, and soon, you’ll have those rivets down.

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Module 7: Maintenance Practices

Licence Category - B1 & B2

What it covers

The bread and butter of aircraft engineering. This module covers everything from hydraulic systems to flight controls and fire protection. It’s basically a manual for keeping planes happy and healthy.

Difficulty Level

★★★☆☆
There’s a lot to remember here, but it’s logical and practical. It’s also great fun if you enjoy seeing how everything works together—like IKEA instructions, but with wings.

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Module 8: Basic Aerodynamics

Licence Category - B1 & B2

What it covers

How do aeroplanes stay in the air ? How do they stay stable? This module answers these questions, diving into airflow, lift, and flight physics.

Difficulty Level

★★★☆☆
It’s fascinating but abstract. If you enjoy visualising airflow patterns in your head, you’ll thrive. If not, prepare to mutter, lift equals what now?

Top Tip:

Forget about feeling embarrassed. Pretending your hand is an aeroplane might become second nature! That’s precisely what you’ll be doing during this exam, so embrace it and have fun with the process. It’s all part of mastering the concepts in a way that sticks.

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Module 9: Human Factors

Licence Category - B1 & B2

What it covers

This one’s all about the human element in aviation. It covers how communication, fatigue, and errors affect performance. Spoiler: humans aren’t perfect, and aviation knows it.

Difficulty Level

★☆☆☆☆
The most straightforward module on the list. It’s relatable and concise—if you’ve ever had a bad day at work, you’ll already understand half the content.

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Module 10: Aviation Legislation

Licence Category - B1 & B2

What it covers

The laws and regulations that keep aviation ticking. Topics range from maintenance approvals to airworthiness certifications. It’s the rulebook of the skies.

Difficulty Level

★★★☆☆
Dry, but necessary. It starts as a snooze-fest but gets more interesting once you realise how it ties into real-world operations. For now, consider it the small print you must read.

Top Tip:

This article is a must read before undertaking M10

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Module 11A: Turbine Airplane Aerodynamics, Structures, and Systems (B1)

Licence Category - B1

What it covers

This mammoth module covers everything from aerodynamics to landing gear systems. It’s the all-encompassing guide to turbine aircraft and their inner workings.

Difficulty Level

★★★★☆
Save this one until later down the road. You’ll find that passive experience working the planes throughout your journey will help prepare you for this one. The depth of knowledge required is immense, but by the end, you’ll feel like an aircraft whisperer.

Top Tip:

Try to create diagrams or flowcharts to map out how each system works so you can visualise the entire process in your mind.

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Module 13: Aircraft Aerodynamics, Structures and Systems(B2)

Licence Category - B2

What it covers

Part-66 Module 13, Aircraft Aerodynamics, Structures, and Systems, is where your engineering dreams meet a whirlwind of physics, hydraulics, and seemingly endless diagrams. It dives into aerodynamics, control surfaces, airframe construction, and critical systems like landing gear and environmental controls.

Known affectionately (or not) as the brain-fryer, this module will test your mettle, your patience, and your caffeine tolerance. But hey, once you’ve tackled the labyrinth of hydraulic schematics and aerodynamic equations, you’ll feel like you can fix anything—maybe even your sleep schedule.

Difficulty Level

★★★★★

This is a module best tackled later in your training journey. By then, you’ll have refined your study methods and understood how Part-66 module exams are structured. With little room for error, being well-prepared and confident before taking this challenging test is crucial.

Top Tip:

Best to treat Module 13 the same way as module 11—visualise all the systems. However, this module also delves into avionics, like instruments, where understanding is key. You can’t just memorise. You need to understand how and why things work.

YouTube will be a huge help here, with great channels that break down these concepts visually. And don’t underestimate this module—while it might seem like it’s all about systems, the avionics side requires some serious attention and understanding, so take it seriously.

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Module 14: Propulsion (B2)

Licence Category - B2

What it covers

Part-66 Module 14, Propulsion, is all about what makes aeroplanes go zoom—engines! Whether it’s pistons chugging away or the sleek roar of a gas turbine, this module has it covered.

You’ll tackle everything from fuel systems and lubrication to thrust generation and performance while questioning why you ever thought engines were just a big fan. It’s a whirlwind tour of aviation’s powerhouse. By the end, you’ll be dreaming of turbines (or maybe just dreaming of passing the exam).

Difficulty Level

★☆☆☆☆

Top Tip:

Walk in the park. You got this!

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Module 15: Gas Turbine Engine

Licence Category - B1

What it covers

Engines, engines, and more engines. Compressors, turbines, fuel systems—this module is an engineer’s dream if you love the smell of jet fuel in the morning.

Difficulty Level

★★★☆☆
Challenging but rewarding. If you geek out over engines, you’ll actually enjoy studying this one. If not, well, at least it’s interesting enough to keep you awake.

Top Tip:

It’s a lengthy module, but definitely an enjoyable one. There’s a ton of content to cover, but the good news is that YouTube is packed with videos that break down different engine components and how they work.

Take full advantage of these resources—they can make complex concepts a lot more understandable and fun to learn. Plus, seeing things inaction can really help solidify your understanding.

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Module 16: Pistons

Licence Category - B1 (Required to add B1.3 to a B1.1 Licence)

What it covers

Part-66 Module 16 (Piston Engines) is your chance to dive into the nuts, bolts, and glorious clanking of old-school aviation power plants. This module covers everything from the satisfying hum of cylinders firing to the mysteries of carburettors and crankshafts.

Think of it as exploring the heart of an engine that’s both vintage cool and mechanically demanding. By the end, you’ll either be a piston engine pro or dreaming of a world where spark plugs change themselves.

Difficulty Level

★★☆☆☆

Top Tip:

If you’ve ever worked on a car engine, this module shouldn’t be too much trouble. A great tip would be to visit a local general aviation hangar—many would welcome your interest and let you get hands-on experience.

You’d be surprised how much you can learn just by observing and asking questions. It’s a great way to see the systems in action.

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Module 17: Propeller

Licence Category - B1

What it covers

Props get their moment in the spotlight here. From construction to pitch control and ice protection, you’ll learn what makes these spinning blades so effective.

Difficulty Level

★★☆☆☆
Straightforward and relatively light compared to other modules. You’ll get through this one without too many tears.

Top Tip:

Same as module 16 above↑

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Essays: Modules 7, 9, and 10

Licence Category - B1 & B2

What they cover

Yes, essays. You’ll write about maintenance practices, human factors, and aviation legislation. It’s your chance to show off your understanding—or your ability to waffle convincingly. These can be challenging and it can be hard to figure out what you need to write to pass, it feels like kicking a ball and hoping for a goal somewhere ahead.

Difficulty Level

★★★☆☆

Top Tip:

Some training centres offer essay writing courses, such as ResourceGroup. They aren’t too expensive.

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Failure of Part-66 exams and how to pick yourself backup!

Consequences of failing exams

Fail an exam once? Your partner offers a hug and a glass of wine.

Twice? Sympathy’s gone, replaced by a sceptical, Are you sure this is for you?

By the third time? Side-eye, avoidance of eye contact, and possibly, Have you thought about a career in... something else? Or, as a friend put it, “McDonald’s has openings.”

Fail three times, and you’re stuck with a painful 12-month wait. Trust me, you want to avoid that. These exams are tougher than they look—only go for round three if you’re sure you’ve got it.

If you find yourself on a losing streak, switch it up and tackle an easier module for a confidence boost. We’ve all hit a rough patch; sometimes, a quick win is all it takes to get back on track.

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How to get back on the Part-66 horse!

After multiple exam failures, it’s easy to feel discouraged, but remember, failures are just obstacles to success!

First, give yourself a breather—success isn’t always linear. Then, take a hard look at your study methods. Are you retaining information or just skimming through it?

Try mixing up your approach—use active recall, break study sessions into smaller chunks, and focus on understanding concepts, not just memorising facts. Maybe even try different resources or study groups for a fresh perspective. Every failure is just another step toward getting it right, so keep tweaking your strategy until you find what works best for you!

Flashcards are a great way to tackle the vast amount of information needed for these modules. Quizlet, in particular, is a powerful study tool that can help you efficiently memorise and review key concepts.

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Do you have what it takes to conquer the Part-66 B licence modules?

Whether you’re tackling the lighter A licence or the more demanding B1 licence, each module adds a piece to the puzzle. Study hard, take breaks, and remember passing these exams brings you one step closer to a career where you’ll play a crucial role in keeping the skies safe. And hey, if nothing else, you’ll know more about bolts and airflow than anyone at the dinner table.