Joining the Reserve/Guard..getting my A&P?

[dueguard1]

Currently looking to join the Guard or Reserve for some aircraft maintenance experience, left Active duty about 3 years ago (Non-aviation AFSC) and currently flying with the Regionals...what AFSC would givre me the most hands-on for completing my A&P??? Jet Propulsion, or Crew Chief??
Just basically looking for some way to my backup my flying should I ever lose my medical, also since I have about close to 9 years active it can bring me some extra income.

 

[bobs98tlr]

Id say crew chief, my dad was one for 4 years on the C-130. Went back to farming after that for 12 years before he lost his ass in the pig market. Out of the blue he got a job with a Major and has been their for over 20 years. All he had to do was finish up is Power plant courses at an A&P school and thats it. He tested out for is Airframe because of prior experiance.

 

[Pistlpetet]

Look at the FAA website on the topic of Military MOS's to get your A an P. It lists all the MOS's that will let you get your A and P. Some Jobs might only let you get an Airframe, or just a Powerplant.

Once you have the 18 months in that qualifiying MOS, you can just go to a testing center where they train you up quick to take the practical test. You will also have to do the written Tests.

 

[CrewDawg]

Crew Chief is the way to go if you want to get an A&P. We are also called APG (Airframe/Powerplant/General). Once you get your 5-level you can take your training records to the local FSDO and get the appropiate sign-offs. I know a few people who did this and went down to Bakers academy (?) for a two week course and got their A&P's. I think this cost about $1500 but not a bad deal. Just know that you will just have an A&P and will have alot to learn.

If you get your 7-level I think there is a way to get it free through an Air Force CDC. Not sure how that works though.

 

[Slice121]

Currently looking to join the Guard or Reserve for some aircraft maintenance experience, left Active duty about 3 years ago (Non-aviation AFSC) and currently flying with the Regionals...what AFSC would givre me the most hands-on for completing my A&P??? Jet Propulsion, or Crew Chief??
Just basically looking for some way to my backup my flying should I ever lose my medical, also since I have about close to 9 years active it can bring me some extra income.

DCANG (121 FS, Andrews AFB) is hurting for crew chiefs right now. You may want to look there if you live in the DC area.

 

[Weasel Keeper]

Crew Chief is definately the way to go for both...but not sure about the 5 level sign off thing. The FAA still says you must have 30 months of full time experience to get both (or 18 months each). I'm not sure tech school and 5 level CDCs are enough college credits...although times have changed. When I went to the FSDO a few years back they didn't even look at my Air Guard time (4 years) because that was only part time, and I had my 7 level. They only looked at my 4 years active duty time as being enough experience to do the testing.

I did the Baker's School thing in Nashville. It was great. In the 10 days I was there I left with my A&P...and believe it or not you do learn quite a bit even just cramming for the tests.

Of course now I'm back in the Air Guard as a full time federal technician so I don't even need my A&P anymore...doh! Pays a heck of a lot more than I ever made at an airline.

 

[AirCobra]

Weasel Keeper is right. You will not qualify for an A & P unless you are full time for 36 months. Another suggestion I have is becoming an FE in a C-130, KC-10, or C-5 unit. They may look at you since you are a pilot, plus the rating will enhance your career and is worth up to 500 hours of flight time.

 

[CrewDawg]

Weasel Keeper is right. You will not qualify for an A & P unless you are full time for 36 months. Another suggestion I have is becoming an FE in a C-130, KC-10, or C-5 unit. They may look at you since you are a pilot, plus the rating will enhance your career and is worth up to 500 hours of flight time.

The two people I know that got their A&P through Bakers were only 5-level's in the guard (part-timers). Maybe it's just a thing with the local FSDO but they both got the sign-offs they needed to go down Bakers and get their A&P. I do seem to remember then needing another sign-off from and A&P, but am not sure. Both had only had about 4 years in the guard as tradional guardsman and no previous active duty of full time guard time.

I would check with your local FSDO first. I swear you could call 5 different FSDO's and get five different answers!

 

[Weasel Keeper]

You know, now that I think about it, there may have been some traditional Guard folks in my class at Baker's when I was there. There were 2 or 3 ANG C-130 CCs and I'm not sure if they had any active duty time or not. Maybe they had their supervisors sign them off?

CrewDawg has a point...check with other FSDOs. I went to our local FSDO in South Bend and the guy was close to retirement and acted liked he couldn't be bothered. The next week I went to Indy's FSDO and was signed off to take my tests.