Sometimes. But more on type of work and the market as a whole. All the trades (read physical, outdoor work) are going through the same trend. Unfortunately with A&Ps they are on the low end of the scale when compared to other paths. In my opinion, the independent GA AP/IA will be a thing of the past sooner than later. Insurance costs, at least in the rotorcraft side, will be doubling in the next couple years and will eventually trickle down. And with the global market pushing the limits on airline travel I think the next 10 years will lay everything out. If the feds don't expand LSA or owner maintained category aircraft then GA is toast. Will be interesting to read POA posts then when no one is around to work on their aircraft or they'll be complaining about $200/hr rates as much as they do about $60 rates today. Supple and demand rules.
become dentists? ROFL. They wish. Just like airline pilots who wax poetic about becoming doctors, most dentists can become anything in aviation, the opposite is demonstrably not true. And I say that as someone with a stack of unused engineering degrees, who actually turned down medical school for this mickey mouse industry. And I truly belong here, cuz I'm too stupid to know I should have taken the medical school debt.
You know, in a way it is a good thing that we are left wanting for piston recreational mx. Gives just enough incentive for the FAA to finally cut us loose into the primary non-commercial category they scoffed at 5 years ago. ExABs are clearly able to not make the news to a higher degree than certified cans, APs can't afford to eat on the lack of volume, and we can't afford to overpay them for that lack of economy of scale. So it's really conveniently aligned for all parties just to cut it loose to de facto experimental rules for mx and modification.
I think your doing quite well!
Boy...I wouldn't be dismissing your career choices so fast. That is hardly an accurate perception. I wish folks would stop perpetuating the idea that being a doctor (of any sort) automatically means lots of money/wealth. I say that as a son of a dentist who owned his own private practice for 25+ years and is now a dental professor who teaches dental students (Juniors and Seniors) at Midwestern University. My uncle (my dad's brother) is a very successful orthopedic surgeon (also possibly the most humble person I know). Does he make good money? Sure (although Uncle Sam takes his fair share). He has VERY little time. My dad on the other hand had a nice schedule when he owned his private practice, but he didn't make the gobs of money you might think he did. Both of them can tell you the state of medicine is drastically different than it was years ago. Private practices are slowly dwindling. Medical school is ridiculously expensive. Dental school is even more expensive than medical school by the way. My dad doesn't recommend it unless you either have the military pay for it or have some serious help (rich parents, etc). I'd pursue medical school if that was truly my passion. I wouldn't pursue it because I thought it would make me wealthy. Doctor's also statistically tend to live lifestyles that are above their means (but hey they look good in that BMW 7 Series). My Uncle drives a 20 year old Suburban. My dad drives a Honda Ridgeline (hate that thing btw).
Great story - my dad had a dental student who was a VP of Engineering over at Motorola. He came over from Vietnam when he was young with nothing but the shirt on his back. Found a sponsor in the US to help pay for his engineering degree at ASU. Worked his way up. Retired from engineering and wanted to become a dentist to serve his community in Vietnam. Became a dentist and did exactly that. I had lunch with him when I was going through engineering school. So hey, if you want to become a dentist, go do it!
If you want a conversation about medical school debt and the return on investment...well...you'd have a great conversation with my dad. My point is...it probably isn't exactly what you think it is. You own an Archer...we own a Cherokee 140
But hey...if I can truly become anything in aviation as a dentist, then I might take you up on that advice! I get free medical school once my dad hits the 10 year mark at Midwestern
I'm fully dialed in on the economics of med school; I did walk away from it for a reason after all. I fully intend on jumping out of the Arrow next year, since I want longer range and more useful for some of the bucket list missions I got planned for myself and the familia. I'm quite satisfied with my compensation as a military pilot. The civilian side compensation of this industry underwhelms me only insofar as the TAFB piece is concerned, compared to licking stamps at whichever civil servant alphabet soup desk job, which is where the whole thing about med school started from, but that's neither here nor there. I have 3 distinct regrets in my life, but not going to dental/medical school is actually not one of them. Like I said, I totally track the essence of your anecdotes.
Don't think it's not a possibility? Not my figures: there's approx 150,000 aviation mechanics, 750,000 auto mechs, and 280,000 diesel mechs in the US. Current avg. auto shop rates are $100/hr. Diesel shop $150/hr. Simple math. Since only an AP/IA needs a mandated federal certificate/authorization out of the group, $200/hr maybe the low end.
Not hardly. You're over thinking it. Less people performing the job, i.e., no more people obtaining A&Ps means no A&P at your airport or the next airport and so on. Simple supple and demand until the supply of A&Ps increase or the FAA mx requirements decrease.
Not in aviation it's not. You forget the implication of federal regulations. What's obvious is that you've never earned a living at turning a wrench on aircraft.
All A&P candidates check in here to see what the general aviation pilots/owner think of A&Ps, then run like hell, then become dentists to extract their pound of flesh.
Not at all. Considering I’ve had this debate 100s of times over the years, I try to cut to the chase by throwing out a statement similar to the one you highlighted. Your reaction was typical.
And this opinion is classic. Yet most owners only apply that rationale to their aircraft and not to any other “non-revenue” situation within their world.
Why not substitute “earn” for “command?” Now who is a little ad hom….
What’s the difference? Other than you actually can fix things on a 65 Skyhawk as opposed to throwing it out and buying a new one.
If I could fix the things on the Skyhawk I'd still own it.
What region? Cost of living is important context.
Frederick, MD...one hour north of DC....and one hour west of Baltimore.
VS
why?
If you throw location into the equation it tightens considerably. But you're correct the people who really want to be an A&P in GA do succeed at times. However, with people movement centered toward urban locations it is becoming harder for an independent AP/IA to set up a competitive operation, i.e, rates, in more rural areas. Ironically, as more people move closer to the city the more rural small airports are closed, i.e., GA.
Rather obvious.
guess....not.
Don’t believe I have? I thought the topic of this thread is AP/IA shortage. I simply opined on the reasons I believe are causing the shortage and some possible solutions based on my years of providing mx services. If you’re offended by the discussion I can’t help you there.
Trucking is in high demand. My son is getting out of the Army this month and has his Class A CDL, with Hazmat endorsements. Has a gig lined up in Odessa Tx hauling oil. 75K to start. 100K in 3 years
