Can I get an A&P?

[IndyGTP]

Anybody who gets into aviation without planning on moving around is having a bad pipe dream.

Whatever that is.

Five years ago when I started school it wasn't like that in Indianapolis. United had an agreement included in the loan the city gave them to hire 200 mechanics a year. By 2006 they were to have 2,500 aviation professionals. Not to mention ATA had/has line and hanger maintenance in Indy. ATA was on a hiring spree as well. Chautauqua the number one regional airline also operated out of Indy.

So I guess today with the airlines and how they are, you should expect to move. But to be honest with you... Out of the 30 people that were in my class I would say 75% had the intention of staying home. Kinda sucks to see all your dreams crumble in one year.

But hey I can't really complain. I'm living the American dream. Got a house, car, wife, and enough money to put food on the table. It could have been better but I'm satisfied with what I got and love what I do.

 

[208Tech]

The time money you spend on going to A&P school will be more than you will ever spend on hiring one of us A&P's to safely do the work for you. However I would highly recommend taking a sheet metal course or some kind of formal sheet metal training for building your RV. Another option for affordable maintenance may be to find an A&P who loves to fly and exchange time in your plane for maintenance. I have been flying a C-182 for a few years and I only pay for the gas.

 

[RightPedal]

Another option for affordable maintenance may be to find an A&P who loves to fly and exchange time in your plane for maintenance.

This is the only way I was able to own my own aircraft. A friend was an ATP with A&P-IA. His Company did not allow Him to do any kind of work on the side, but, beings that I had a Maule, I would land in His Neighbors field so He could work on my plane in His Garage.
His neighbor was so taken by this that He learned to fly and bought a Maule and kept it tied in his back yard.

 

[avbug]

Out of the 30 people that were in my class I would say 75% had the intention of staying home. Kinda sucks to see all your dreams crumble in one year.

That only serves to reinforce my point. Those that get into the business and expect to be in one place with one employer are not grounded in reality.

These folks just woke up to face reality. That's all.

And welcome to the club.

 

[It'll Fly]

Absolutely Plan on moving in this career. Good thread going. The only thing missing is the cost of the A+P schooling. You can plan on spending anywhere from 16K to 28K depending on the school or area you are in. Also in looking at a home built and the RV is a great acft, you can get it partially assembled to speed up your build time.

In the recruiting work I have done in speaking to schools #1 is the plan to move talk. Not counting my military time which was 20 years, I have moved 4 times in 7 years and getting ready for the 5th.

 

[avbug]

60+ moves, and counting. Just moved again a few weeks ago. Four times in seven years sounds pretty darn stable to me.


Life is TDY.

 

[E-handle]

Check Essential

Having worked, between other jobs, as an instructor at 3 part 147 maintenance schools I would humbly recommend that you save your 23k (unless it is REALLY burning a hole in your pocket!)



I’m sure there are exceptions, but most schools are run by for profit (read your $23,000) training conglomerates and will teach you nothing more than it takes to barely keep their part 147 status. The only FAA requirement to be an instructor at the schools is that you have an A&P (experience optional). You and ten other students might get to tear down and reassemble a piston engine, but never make it run. You will get to start the ONE engine that does run (FAA requirement) if it happens to be working that day! Your sheet metal project might be 10 rivets in a 6 inch square of aluminum . Well, you get the picture.



Spend your money on a good set of tools to get stared. U.S.Tool and Industrial

Supply ( just Google it) has some good kit builders kits. I have used their rivet guns, clecos etc. and they are of fine quality for the price. Also, try and get the old FAA printed A&P books if you want to read up. If you do get the Jeppesens, find an old set and watch for a lot of mistakes! The new Jeppesens are the same as the old ones, just a new cover and a higher price.



Good Luck in whatever you decide.

 

[E-handle]

Never Mind

 

[Check Essential]

Never Mind

Lost track of the thread.

Thanks for the info.

CE

 

[ppolstra]

In order to test for your A&P you must have 30 months of full time experiance working in an aircraft maintence facility.

Please show me a regulation that says the 30 months have to be full time. You won't find it. You will find that you cannot do it in under 30 months by working more than full time. Now if you were only ocassionaly working on planes for 30 months I'm sure that wouldn't fly, but nobody says you can't have another job while you are working on planes. In fact, nobody says you have to have a "job" at all. You could, for example, build an airplane and that experience would qualify.

 

[dumpduck1]

Why would you want to.

 

[bocefus]

"Please show me a regulation that says the 30 months have to be full time."
There is no regulation, but the requirement does exist. 8300.10, chapter 22
The 30 months consists of 40 hour work weeks per the FAA.

 

[erj-145mech]

Please show me a regulation that says the 30 months have to be full time. You won't find it. You will find that you cannot do it in under 30 months by working more than full time. Now if you were only ocassionaly working on planes for 30 months I'm sure that wouldn't fly, but nobody says you can't have another job while you are working on planes. In fact, nobody says you have to have a "job" at all. You could, for example, build an airplane and that experience would qualify.

I don't know of any certificated mechanic that would sign you off to take the writtens without the experience level, or an FAA Inspector that would allow you to take the writtens with out the letter from the mechanic. Every one that I've recommended to take the writtens has been interviewed by the FAA inspector on his experience level prior to have been given permission to take the test. Even taking your DD 214 to the FAA doesn't guarantee you the privellige to take the A&P writtens.

If you build an airplane, and you actually build more that 51%, you may qualify to become a repairman for that aircraft. Keep in mind that building an aircraft would be experimental and maintaining an aircraft that is certificated is different in nature. Does driving an M1A tank entitle you to a civillian drivers licence?

 

[Flechas]

Don't forget the new fuel bladders. That's sooo much fun...

I had to change those for an Apache, 100 degrees in Florida, no wind, that was so much fun......

 

[dumpduck1]

I was one of the lucky ones. I got a job with an airline with military experience only.Through OJT I built up my time, documented all that I did, Presented it to the local FSDO,Got my sign off, took my writtens and practicals and achieved my A&P. With a little help from King school videos and about $1500. total. Never once set foot in a class room and usualy had a beer and cigerette going in front of the VCR. After about 5 years seeing lawnmower Mechs making more than me I said F this.And I worked Heavy checks. 727-200 C-check and line. C-1 ,C-2 ,hot section I can tear apart a JT-8 Blind folded.Now I work on a friggin bus.More Money,No road trips,No feds,No logs,weekends and holidays off. Unless you've been with a major the last 20 years your not going to make squat in aviation.Been there done that and flight bennies suck too.