I Passed 15 EASA Part-66 Modules (B1, B2 & Cat A) — Here's Exactly How I Studied

My Background

I originally worked in the construction industry as an electrician for about 8 years after finishing school. Due to the economic situation in Ireland at the time, work was becoming hard to find. I saw an opportunity to move into a completely new field — taking a step back and starting from the beginning with an aircraft maintenance apprenticeship.

The apprenticeship allowed me to work in an airline, with breaks to study at Part-147 training schools and sit my EASA Part-66 exams. I completed my Cat A first, followed by my B2, then my B1 — gaining type courses on the ATRs, gaining first Cat A approvals, and then B2 approval. Getting the actual licence in my hand made all the sacrifices worth it. When you take a risk and it pays off, there's nothing like it — and each time I added to it, I got that same feeling.

I studied at Limerick Institute of Technology (now TU Shannon), gaining a Level 7 certification in Aircraft Lease Transition Management and another in Aircraft Technical Services.

Like every student, I spent hours memorising question banks — hoping the same ones would come up in the exam. I wasn't actually learning. That's why I built ModMentor. You get interactive practice that targets your weak areas. The questions keep changing, so you can't just memorise patterns. You actually learn — just like the industry demands.

The Module Order That Actually Makes Sense

Most Part-147 colleges in Ireland follow a set curriculum order, but if you have any flexibility (or you're self-studying), this is the sequence I'd recommend:

Phase 1: Build the Foundations (Months 1–6)

1. Module 1 — Mathematics: You'll use this everywhere. Get comfortable with algebra, trigonometry, and logarithms first.
2. Module 2 — Physics: Mechanics, thermodynamics, optics, wave motion. Heavy overlap with Maths — study them together.
3. Module 3 — Electrical Fundamentals: DC/AC theory, circuits, magnetism. This is the backbone of B2.
4. Module 4 — Electronic Fundamentals: Semiconductors, logic gates, amplifiers. Builds directly on Module 3.

Phase 2: The Digital & Materials Block (Months 6–12)

5. Module 5 — Digital Techniques: Number systems, processors, fibre optics, networks. Modern avionics lives here.
6. Module 6 — Materials & Hardware: Corrosion, fasteners, pipes, springs. Practical and relatively straightforward.
7. Module 7 — Maintenance Practices: Safety, tools, inspections. Common-sense heavy but wide syllabus.

Phase 3: Engines (Months 12–16)

8. Module 15 — Gas Turbine Engine: Turbine theory, engine types, systems, performance. Core knowledge for anyone working on jets.

Phase 4: Aerodynamics & Structures (Months 16–24)

9. Module 8 — Basic Aerodynamics: Atmosphere, airflow, lift, drag, flight controls. Good foundation before the deeper modules.
10. Module 11 — Aerodynamics: How aircraft fly, stability, control surfaces. Fascinating content.
11. Module 13 — Aircraft Structures: Fuselage, wings, doors, windows. Lots of memorisation.

Phase 5: The "Easier" Modules (Final 6 Months)

12. Module 9 — Human Factors: Psychology, error management, teamwork. Interesting but straightforward.
13. Module 10 — Aviation Legislation: EASA rules, Part-145, Part-66, MEL. Dry but scoreable — lots of direct recall.
14. Module 14 — Propulsion: General engine theory, turbine and piston overview.

How to Know When You're Exam-Ready

This is where most people get it wrong. They study until they "feel ready." Feelings lie. Here's my objective test:

1. Score 80%+ on three consecutive mock exams (not the same questions — different banks each time)
2. Can explain any wrong answer — after reviewing, you understand WHY the correct answer is correct, not just that it is
3. No topic avoidance — you don't skip questions on any sub-topic hoping they won't come up
4. Consistent timing — you finish with 5+ minutes to spare without rushing

If you can tick all four boxes, book the exam. If you can't, you know exactly what to work on.

Tools I Used

I won't pretend I didn't use my own product, but here's the honest toolkit:

• ModMentor — 18,000+ practice questions across all modules. I built this because the question banks I was using had outdated questions and no explanations. Every question has a detailed explanation.
• Handwritten notes — I kept an A4 notebook per module. Writing by hand forces processing.
• EASA Part-66 syllabus document — Downloaded from EASA, highlighted what I'd covered. The syllabus IS the exam spec — if it's listed, it can be asked.
• YouTube — Specific topics like three-phase power or TCAS operation. Visual explanations for things that don't click from text.
• Chat with colleagues and other students — Find out what they found difficult. When doing questions, cover the answers, say the answer or think before looking at them — then when you see it, you know you're right.

Common Mistakes (I Made Most of These)

1. Starting with question banks before studying content

You'll just memorise answers without understanding concepts. When the exam rephrases the question, you're stuck. Content first, questions second.

2. Studying everything at B2 level when you only need B1

B1 and B2 have different depth requirements for many modules. Check the syllabus level indicators (1, 2, or 3) — don't study Level 3 material if you only need Level 1.

3. Ignoring the modules you find boring

Module 10 (Legislation) and Module 9 (Human Factors) are "easy" marks. I know lads who failed them because they didn't take them seriously. Free marks left on the table.

4. Not timing yourself

The exam clock is real. If you always study at your own pace, the time pressure in the exam room will throw you. Practise timed from week one.

5. Relying on one source

No single textbook or question bank covers everything perfectly. Cross-reference. If something isn't in your notes but IS in the syllabus, it can appear in the exam.

Final Tips

• Book the exam before you're "ready": A deadline forces focus. Without one, studying stretches forever.
• Fail forward: I failed Module 2 first time at B1/B2 level. The resit prep taught me more than the original study. A fail isn't the end — it's data.
• Sleep before exams: No all-nighters. Your brain consolidates during sleep. Studying until 3am the night before is counter-productive.
• Trust the process: 90 minutes a day, six days a week, for 3-4 months per module block. It compounds. By month 3, you'll feel the difference.
• Start your logbook early: You need experience hours alongside the exams. Don't leave it until after — run them in parallel.