Renewing an Old A&P Certificate

[ShyFlyGuy]

Hello folks. I'm curious about what it would take to get back into the industry after a 30 year absence. Got the A&P, but it's been so long, I don't know what regulations are relevant, etc. How would I go about "brushing up"? Advice please...

Shy

 

[Berkut]

Well, they still never expire, so you have that going for you. But there are recency of experience requirements specified in 14CFR65.83:

Sec. 65.83 Recent experience requirements.

A certificated mechanic may not exercise the privileges of his
certificate and rating unless, within the preceding 24 months--
(a) The Administrator has found that he is able to do that work; or
(b) He has, for at least 6 months--
(1) Served as a mechanic under his certificate and rating;
(2) Technically supervised other mechanics;
(3) Supervised, in an executive capacity, the maintenance or
alteration of aircraft; or
(4) Been engaged in any combination of paragraph (b) (1), (2), or
(3) of this section.

Someone could hire you with the understanding that you aren't current and will need to be supervised for a while.

Most A&P schools have "Laws and Regs" classes or something similiar. You could sign up for classes in the subject areas in which you're weak.

Are you looking to get into airline maintenance or GA? If airline, I would just go ahead and try to find a job. A great deal of what you need to know will be airline/aircraft specific anyway. You can still turn a wrench or safety a fastener, right? If not, maybe a shop practices class at the local A&P school would help if you're weak on the basics.