Anaircraft maintenance engineer (AME), also licensed aircraft maintenance engineer (LAMEorL-AME), is a licensed person who carries out and certifies aircraft maintenance. The license is widespread internationally and is recognised by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).[1] The American FAA recognise the qualification in foreign countries but refers to it as aviation maintenance engineer rather than "Aircraft...".[2] Unlicensed mechanics or tradespersons are sometimes informally referred to as "unlicensed AMEs".[3]
Countries which issue or recognize AME licenses internally include Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, India, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and much of Asia.[4][5][6][7][8]
The American equivalent of an AME is an aircraft maintenance technician (AMT), also known as an A&P.[2]
Up until 1998, Type I and Type II aircraft maintenance engineer (AME) licences were distinguished. In 1998 ICAO replaced these with a single AME licence.[1]
In 2005 the relationship between the Canadian AME and the US A&P (AMT) was further revised, through a Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement (BASA) between the US and Canada.[2]
