EASA Part-66 Study Plan (30–90 Days): Pass the Module Exams for Your Category

Why a Structured Study Plan Matters

The Part-66 module exams cover a vast amount of material. The Appendix I syllabus spans everything from mathematics and basic electricity to turbine engine theory, sheet metal repair, and complex aircraft systems — 17 modules in total, of which your licence category requires 12–13. Without a plan, it is easy to spend too much time on subjects you already know while neglecting areas that need more attention.

A structured study plan addresses this by distributing your study time proportionally across all the modules for your category. It also builds in critical review periods and practice exams so that knowledge is consolidated rather than forgotten. Candidates who follow a planned schedule consistently outperform those who study ad hoc.

The plan below assumes you are studying 8–10 hours per week — roughly one hour per weekday plus a longer session on the weekend. Full-time students can compress it to 30 days (about 4 weeks at 15–20 hours per week). If you have less time, extend the timeline to 12–14 weeks. The key is maintaining consistency rather than intensity.

Week 1–2: Foundations — M1, M2, M8

Start with the foundational modules: M1 Mathematics (32 questions, 40 min), M2 Physics (52 questions, 65 min), and M8 Basic Aerodynamics (42 questions, 55 min). Their subjects — arithmetic, algebra, mechanics, thermodynamics, and the basic physics of flight — reappear inside the technical modules.

Week 1: Mathematics and Physics

Study the M1 knowledge elements on arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and trigonometry, and the M2 elements on mechanics, thermodynamics, optics, and wave motion. Create a reference sheet with key formulas and standard values (unit conversions, area and volume formulas, physical constants). Start the Skylicence Europe M1 and M2 modules and take the diagnostic assessments to establish your baseline.

Week 2: Basic Aerodynamics and Review

Cover M8 Basic Aerodynamics — the atmosphere, aerodynamics of flight, theory of flight, and flight stability and dynamics. Then review M1 and M2 with timed simulations — aim for 75 percent by the end of week 2, and 80 percent before moving on.

Week 3–4: Electrical and Electronic Fundamentals — M3, M4, M5

For B1 and B2 candidates, the electrical cluster is the technical backbone: M3 Electrical Fundamentals (92 questions, 115 min), M4 Electronic Fundamentals (72 questions, 90 min), and M5 Digital Techniques/Electronic Instrument Systems (92 questions, 115 min).

Week 3: Electrical Fundamentals

Study M3 thoroughly: electron theory, static electricity, DC and AC circuits, transformers, motors and generators, and basic solid-state devices. Drill the calculation questions — Ohm's law, power, capacitance, and inductance — until they are automatic.

Week 4: Electronic Fundamentals and Digital Techniques

Cover M4 (semiconductors, diodes, transistors, integrated circuits) and M5 (electronic displays, digital electronics, and electronic instrument systems). These modules reward diagram work — practise reading circuit schematics and block diagrams. Finish the week with a full timed M3 simulation — aim for 75 percent or better before moving on.

Week 5–6: Materials, Practices and Human Factors — M6, M7, M9

This block is practical and broad: M6 Materials and Hardware (72 questions, 90 min), M7 Maintenance Practices (140 questions, 175 min), and M9 Human Factors (34 questions, 45 min).

Week 5: Materials and Hardware

Study M6: aircraft materials — ferrous and non-ferrous metals, composite and non-metallic materials — plus fasteners, locking devices, pipes and unions, bearings, transmissions, and control cables. Cover corrosion types and prevention, and material identification.

Week 6: Maintenance Practices and Human Factors

Cover M7's core subjects — safety precautions, workshop practices, tools, engineering drawings, fits and clearances, riveting, fasteners, electrical wiring, weight and balance, handling and storage, inspection and NDT — and M9 Human Factors (human performance, social psychology, factors affecting performance, physical environment, communication, human error). M7 is the biggest module in Part-66: plan extra practice volume and practise the essay question format for B1/B2. Finish with a full timed M7 simulation.

Week 7–8: Legislation and Systems — M10, M11/M12/M13

M10 Aviation Legislation (64 questions, 80 min) is mandatory for every category. Then come the aircraft-specific systems modules: M11 (Aeroplane Aerodynamics, Structures and Systems, 120 questions, 150 min) for B1.1/B1.2, M12 (Helicopter, 90 questions, 115 min) for B1.3/B1.4, or M13 (Aircraft Aerodynamics, Structures and Systems, 120 questions, 150 min) for B2.

Week 7: Aviation Legislation

Study M10: the regulatory framework — Regulation (EU) No 1321/2014 (Part-66 licensing, Part-145 maintenance organisations, Part-M/CAMO continuing airworthiness), the role of the competent authority and EASA, certifying staff and the release to service (CRS), and national and international requirements. Learn the privileges and limits of each licence category, plus the recent evolution of the framework through Regulation (EU) 2023/989. M10 includes an essay question for B1/B2 candidates.

Week 8: Aeroplane/Helicopter Systems

Cover the systems modules for your category: airframe structures, landing gear, flight controls, hydraulics and pneumatics, environmental systems, fuel systems, electrical power, instruments, ice and rain protection, and fire protection. These are among the most heavily tested modules. Finish with a full timed simulation — aim for 75 percent or better.

Week 9–10: Propulsion — M14, M15, M16, M17

The propulsion modules depend on your category: M14 Propulsion (60 questions, 75 min) for B2; M15 Gas Turbine Engine (108 questions, 135 min) plus M17 Propeller (48 questions, 60 min) for B1.1/B1.3; or M16 Piston Engine (60 questions, 75 min) plus M17 for B1.2/B1.4.

Week 9: Gas Turbine or Piston Engine

For B1.1/B1.3 candidates, study M15 in depth: gas turbine fundamentals, compressor types (centrifugal versus axial), combustion chambers, turbine sections, spools, exhaust systems, fuel systems, control systems (including FADEC), starting, lubrication, and engine instruments. For B1.2/B1.4 candidates, cover M16: the four-stroke cycle, engine construction, ignition, fuel metering, lubrication, and cooling. M15 is widely regarded as one of the hardest modules — budget extra study time.

Week 10: Propellers and Propulsion Wrap-up

Study M17 Propeller (fixed-pitch, constant-speed, governors, feathering, reversing, synchronisation) and M14 Propulsion fundamentals for B2. Finish with full timed simulations for each propulsion module — aim for 75 percent or better.

Week 11–12: Integrated Review and Final Simulations

The final phase is dedicated to review and consolidation. Do not introduce new material — instead, focus on reinforcing what you have already studied:

• Take one full-length practice exam per day, rotating through your category's modules
• Review every incorrect answer and identify the relevant Appendix I knowledge element and depth level
• Focus extra time on your weakest modules based on practice exam results
• Re-read your reference sheets: key formulas, inspection requirements, certification rules, and CRS documentation
• Create summary sheets for each major system and carry them for quick review during spare moments

Using an AI-powered platform like Skylicence Europe during this phase is particularly effective. The adaptive algorithm automatically identifies your weak areas and generates targeted practice questions, making your review time far more efficient than random question selection. Aim to score 80 percent or higher on each full simulation before scheduling your real exams.

The 30-Day Compression

Studying full-time? You can compress this plan to roughly 30 days: Days 1–6 for M1, M2, and M8; Days 7–14 for M3, M4, and M5; Days 15–20 for M6, M7, and M9; Days 21–26 for M10 and your systems module; Days 27–30 for propulsion and integrated review with two full simulations per day. This pace is intense — protect your sleep and keep sessions to 90 minutes max.

Module-by-Module Scheduling Recommendations

You can take the module exams in any order, but most successful candidates follow this sequence:

1. Foundational modules first — M1, M2, and M8 are short and their concepts support the technical modules. Passing early builds confidence.
2. Electrical cluster next — M3, M4, M5 for B1/B2 candidates, while the material is fresh.
3. The largest modules with the most practice — M7, then M11/M12/M13. These carry the most questions and deserve the most preparation.
4. Propulsion and legislation last — M10, M14/M15/M16/M17. M15 in particular benefits from accumulated study momentum.

Space your exams at least one to two weeks apart to allow focused preparation for each. Many candidates book one or two module exams per month. Remember: module certificates are valid for 10 years, and after passing all modules for your category you complete the experience requirement (66.A.30) and apply to your national aviation authority for the licence.

Exam Day: What to Expect at the Examination Centre

Module exams are administered at approved examination centres operated by maintenance training organisations (MTOs) or national aviation authorities. Arrive early with a government-issued photo ID. The exam is computer-based; figures and diagrams needed for questions are displayed on screen. You cannot bring reference materials, but a calculator (or on-screen calculator) is permitted for calculation questions. If you fail a module, you must wait 30 days before retaking it, with a maximum of three consecutive attempts before a 12-month wait — another reason to prepare thoroughly the first time.

Skylicence Europe: Your Study Companion for Every Week

Skylicence Europe is designed to support you through every phase of this plan. Our platform covers all 17 modules with:

• Appendix I-aligned question banks — Questions mapped directly to the Part-66 knowledge elements, with 4,464 questions across the 8 licence categories.
• Adaptive practice — The AI focuses on your weak areas, not the topics you have already mastered.
• Timed exam simulations — Full-length practice exams with the official question quotas and time limits (e.g., 32q/40min M1, 92q/115min M3, 140q/175min M7).
• Detailed explanations — Every answer explained with references to the module syllabus, the regulations, and EASA AMC/GM.
• Progress tracking — Analytics that show your improvement over time across every module and knowledge element.

One licence category (all its modules) is free; PRO at EUR 29.99/month unlocks the complete module banks, and a LIFETIME plan is available for EUR 199.

Start your 30–90 day plan with Skylicence Europe →