A&P question....

fiveoboy01

fiveoboy01

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Dirty B
So today my instructor took me into one of the maintenance hangars where there was a Warrior with the cowling completely removed for some maintenance work. He was giving me a practice oral exam and wanted me to ID things on the engine.

I've been a Technician of some sort for the better part of 15 years, most recently the last 10 years a diesel technician. I know mechanical things well.

Needless to say, my instructor couldn't stump me and I actually pointed out that he was wrong about where the carb heat shroud and tube were located LOL.

The shop looked cool and there were a lot of different planes in there. Everything was really clean, well lit, and organized.

What's involved in an A&P career? Time to train? Pay? Moving up to bigger stuff? I'm just being curious at the moment. I have always thought a job in aviation would be awesome, and I just don't think a freight hauler or ATP is in my future due to my age. But I'm a damn good tech, and I definitely wouldn't need many tools!
 
What would you want to do the most? Restore? Maintain? Engines? To make a living from wrenching you need to be well versed, but a niche isn't a bad thing either.
 
flyingmoose said:
http://www.airframeandpowerplant.com/Where.html
http://www.myaandplicense.com/
http://www.aircraftmechanic.org/forum.php

Here is a few good places to start. You can do it a few different ways.
Work is pretty good, job out look is ok. Pay is really dependent on what you are doing. I also know plenty of people with A&P not working on aircraft at all. Some are working as techs in theme parks, plants, etc...
Click to expand...

Buddy of mine who does hydraulics on KC-135s in the Air Force says he'll get his A&P and then try for jobs at theme parks. I had no idea an A&P license would translate into that position until he told me about it.
 
flyingmoose said:
http://www.airframeandpowerplant.com/Where.html
http://www.myaandplicense.com/
http://www.aircraftmechanic.org/forum.php

Here is a few good places to start. You can do it a few different ways.
Work is pretty good, job out look is ok. Pay is really dependent on what you are doing. I also know plenty of people with A&P not working on aircraft at all. Some are working as techs in theme parks, plants, etc...
Click to expand...

Some are now self-employed in the HVAC business. Tons of A&P's exiting the military at all times. I got out in 1993 with A&P and TIG welding certification. I mailed 120 resumes and received one job offer overhauling jet engines in Atlanta. Paid $12.25/hr. When the HVAC guy came in to do a PM and was making $15/hr starting out, it was time to use my GI Bill for another tech school. I do miss working on planes, but like my boss now a lot better. Pay is a little better averaged out, hours vary from 0-70/week. Enjoy whatever you do.
 
It won't make you rich, but it can pay the bills. I could do something else and make more money, but I'd rather play with airplanes than work for a living.
 
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