European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued a new Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/111 of January 23, 2025, revising Regulation (EU) No 1321/2014 regarding the continued airworthiness of electric and hybrid-propelled aircraft, as well as other non-conventional aircraft. Commission Regulation (EU) No 1321/2014 establishes the requirements for aircraft’s continued airworthiness, including the qualifications and licenses of personnel responsible for returning products to service after maintenance, but previous versions of the regulation did not fully cover all eVTOL aircraft types.
According to the new rule:
“By considering all tilt-rotors as complex motor-powered aircraft, Regulation (EU) No 1321/2014 was not commensurate for the simplest ones as stringent requirements applicable to any complex motor-powered aircraft was also applicable to the simplest tilt-rotors, for which less stringent requirements should apply by comparison with simple aircraft of other categories, namely aeroplanes and helicopters. Therefore the definition of complex motor-powered aircraft should therefore be amended.”
The new rule broadly brings eVTOLs within the umbrella of EU rules covering maintenance and support of all EU-registered aircraft. For example, eVTOL operators will need to ensure their maintenance programs have been approved by the competent authority in accordance with point M.A.302 of Annex I (Part-M), due maintenance has been performed and certified in accordance with point 145.A.48 and 145.A.50 of Annex II (Part-145), and an airworthiness review has
In this context, a new category has been added to aircraft maintenance licenses: B1.E - (MTOM < 5,700 kg).
Modules Required for B1.E License
Aircraft maintenance engineers who want to have a B1.E license must successfully complete the following modules:
Module-1: Mathematics
Module-2: Physics
Module-3: Electrical Fundamentals
Module-4: Electronic Fundamentals
Module-5: Digital Techniques/Electronic Displays
Module-6: Materials and Hardware
Module-7: Maintenance Practices
Module-8: Basic Aerodynamics
Module-9: Human Factors
Module-10: Aviation Regulations
Module-11: Aircraft Aerodynamics, Structures and Systems (B1.E)
Module-17: Propeller
Module-18: Electric Power Plant (Newly Added Module)
This new module is specifically designed for aircraft maintenance engineers who will perform maintenance on electric and hybrid propulsion aircraft. The content consists of the following headings:
18.1 Fundamentals
18.2 Engine performance
18.3 Engine structure
18.4 Electrical energy system
18.5 Engine display systems
18.6 Engine Assembly (Installation)
18.7 Engine monitoring and ground operations
18.8 Engine storage and protection
Exam Information
For Category B1.E: 76 multiple choice questions
Exam duration: 95 minutes
No written questions (essay).
Electric and hybrid propulsion aircraft are becoming increasingly important in line with sustainable aviation goals. This new license will enable aircraft maintenance engineers working in the sector to gain competence in this field.