Module 18
Module 18: Electric Power Plant
B1.E
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/111 amending Regulation (EU) No 1321/2014, Annex III (Part-66), Appendix I 13 February 2026
Knowledge Level Overview
| Ref | Topic | B1.E |
|---|---|---|
| 18.1 | Fundamentals | 3 |
| 18.2 | Engine performance | 3 |
| 18.3 | Engine construction | 3 |
| 18.4.1 | Electric energy system — Batteries and accessories | 3 |
| 18.4.2 | Electric energy system — Fuel cells and accessories | 3 |
| 18.4.3 | Electric energy system — Power distribution systems | 3 |
| 18.4.4 | Electric energy system — Electronic engine control | 3 |
| 18.5 | Engine indication systems | 3 |
| 18.6 | Power plant installation | 3 |
| 18.7 | Engine monitoring and ground operation | 3 |
| 18.8 | Engine storage and preservation | 3 |
Knowledge levels: 1 = basic familiarisation, 2 = general knowledge, 3 = detailed knowledge. Every Module 18 topic is set at level 3.
Note: Module 18 applies to subcategory B1.E only (aeroplanes with electric power plant and MTOM below 5 700 kg). Every other licence category is marked n/a for this module in Appendix I.
1 Basic familiarisation
2 General knowledge
3 Detailed knowledge
Examination
| Category | Questions | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| B1.E | 76 | 95 min |
Multiple-choice questions only, no essay questions (Appendix II, point 2.18).
Questions per topic (AMC1 to Appendix II):
| Ref | Topic | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| 18.1 | Fundamentals | 7 |
| 18.2 | Engine performance | 5 |
| 18.3 | Engine construction | 9 |
| 18.4.1 | Electric energy system — Batteries and accessories | 12 |
| 18.4.2 | Electric energy system — Fuel cells and accessories | 10 |
| 18.4.3 | Electric energy system — Power distribution systems | 10 |
| 18.4.4 | Electric energy system — Electronic engine control | 6 |
| 18.5 | Engine indication systems | 5 |
| 18.6 | Power plant installation | 4 |
| 18.7 | Engine monitoring and ground operation | 5 |
| 18.8 | Engine storage and preservation | 3 |
| Total | 76 |
Adding B1.E to an existing licence: holders of a B1.1 or B1.2 licence need to pass Module 18 only (Appendix IV, Table B).
Detailed Syllabus
18.1Fundamentals
- Basic principles of electric propulsion
- Power, torque, speed, and efficiency relationships
- Electromagnetic principles relevant to electric machines
- Thermal management principles
18.2Engine Performance
- Power and torque characteristics of electric engines
- Efficiency maps and operating envelopes
- Effects of temperature, voltage, and current on performance
- Regenerative operation principles (where applicable)
- Performance limitations and protection functions
18.3Engine Construction
- Types of electric engines (permanent magnet synchronous (PMSM), induction, switched reluctance, etc.)
- Stator and rotor construction
- Bearings, shafts, and cooling arrangements
- Insulation materials/systems and protection classes
- Inverters and engine controllers (construction, inverter topologies and function)
- Integration of engine, controller, and gearbox
18.4Electric Energy System
18.4.1Batteries and Accessories
- Battery types used in aviation (Li-ion, LiPo, solid state — overview)
- Cell, module, and pack architecture
- Battery management systems (BMSs): functions (SOC, SOH, etc.) and protections
- Charging systems and charging modes
- Thermal management and cooling systems
- Battery protection devices (contactors, fuses, isolation monitoring, thermal monitoring)
- Battery hazards: thermal runaway, overcharge, deep discharge
18.4.2Fuel Cells and Accessories
- Principles of fuel cell operation
- Types of fuel cells applicable to aviation
- Balance of plant components
- Hydrogen storage concepts (overview)
- Integration with electric power plant systems
18.4.3Power Distribution Systems
- High-voltage and low-voltage architectures
- DC and AC distribution concepts
- Power cables, connectors, and shielding
- Contactors, relays, circuit protection, and isolation
- Grounding and bonding requirements
- Redundancy and fault-tolerant design principles
18.4.4Electronic Engine Control
- Control laws and operating modes
- Sensor inputs (temperature, speed, current, voltage)
- Fault detection and protection logic
- Software and configuration control (overview)
18.5Engine Indication Systems
- Power, torque, and speed indications
- Voltage, current, and battery state-of-charge indications
- Temperature monitoring (engine, inverter, batteries)
- Warning, caution, and advisory systems
- Failure indications and pilot alerts
18.6Power Plant Installation
- Installation requirements for electric engines
- Mounting, alignment, and vibration considerations
- Cooling system installation
- Electrical harness routing and protection
- EMC/EMI considerations
- Grounding and bonding requirements
18.7Engine Monitoring and Ground Operation
- Pre-flight and post-flight checks
- Power-up and shutdown procedures
- Ground operation limitations
- Monitoring of system parameters during operation
- Abnormal operation and fault handling
- Safety procedures for maintenance personnel
18.8Engine Storage and Preservation
- Storage requirements for electric engines
- Battery storage conditions and state-of-charge management
- Long-term preservation procedures
- Depreservation after storage
- Environmental considerations (humidity, temperature, contamination)
Key Referenced Regulations
| Reference | Subject |
|---|---|
| (EU) 2025/111 | Amends Regulation (EU) No 1321/2014: creates subcategory B1.E and adds Module 18; applies from 13 February 2026 |
| Part-66, Appendix I | Module 18 topics and knowledge levels |
| Part-66, Appendix II, point 2.18 | Module 18 examination: 76 multiple-choice questions, 95 minutes |
| Part-66, Appendix IV, Table B | Extending a B1.1 or B1.2 licence to B1.E requires Module 18 only |
| (EU) No 1321/2014, Article 5(8) | Until 13 February 2028, an electric aeroplane below 5 700 kg MTOM may be endorsed on a B1.1 or B1.2 licence, subject to conditions |
| ED Decision 2026/002/R | AMC and GM to Part-66, Issue 2, Amendment 9: detailed topic list (AMC1 to Appendix I) and questions per topic (AMC1 to Appendix II) |