Aviation mechanic school

[FrequentPilot]

Buffalo NY, Rochester NY and NYC HAD A&P Programs as did

Cleveland,Ohio. They were all public high schools.

Vo-Tech is always more expensive than academic education.

Principals generally don’t like FAA telling them how to run the school.

I don't think anybody on the planet likes when the government tells them how to run their school. I know a ton of CFIs that loathe FAA bureaucratic regs.

 

[Magman]

FAA seemed to have a hard time grasping it was a High School first and

Part 147 second.

 

[FrequentPilot]

FAA seemed to have a hard time grasping it was a High School first and

Part 147 second.

The FAA has a hard time grasping many simple concepts

 

[Bell206]

FAA seemed to have a hard time grasping it was a High School first and Part 147 second.

As I recall, most high school mechanic programs were not Part 147 schools, which was mainly due to the funding required to maintain that rating and not due to the FAA. Last I checked there were only several Part 147 high school level programs currently operating which is why most public A&P programs are at the CC level. For example, the previous and current CLE high school mechanic program diploma didn't qualify you for your 8160s, but it could be applied toward them during the FSDO ASI review.

 

[Magman]

One of the advantages of a Comm College vs High School is that additional

funding is brought into the picture. County vs city and a modest tuition

make this possible. Someday the public may realize that that it really costs

them due to many policies. “Dual- enrollment” and districts working

together to place students in programs where they have the best chance of

success benefits everyone. Often major equipment is purchased with

federal funds but neighboring students are excluded.


The school in Buffalo was a long time Part 147 facility. I believe the only

older aviation school was Embry -Riddle . During WW2 the doors never

closed as this is where “Rosie” was learning about rivets.

 

[Kiddo's Driver]

Tennessee, not Florida, but maybe there is something like it down there. TCAT is a post-high school vocational/technical training program.

The link is to their A&P program. Under 2 years with short/no brakes between terms.

Program: Aviation Maintenance Technology - Tennessee Board of Regents

Through TN eCampus, individuals considering a college education or options for accelerating degree completion can get a comprehensive view of accredited online programs and courses offered by all TBR institutions. Degree programs available through TN eCampus have been approved by participating...

catalog.tbr.edu

 

[Bell206]

I believe the only older aviation school was Embry -Riddle .

Aviation mechanic schools have been regulated since 1939-40 under CAR 53, which the original Em-Rid pre-dated. But the decrease in Part 147 schools wasn’t really seen until the mid-1980s when the industry changed. And with the recent changes to Part 147 in 2022, hopefully those school numbers will start to increase. However, the high school option is still a tough one to break on several levels which is why there are only 3 or 4 of those programs listed in the current FAA AMTS listings.

 

[Magman]

I agree with most of Bell’s comments. IMHO the entire US education system

needs a thorough review. They seem to no longer realistically prepare

students for life. Does a student auto tech or plumber really NEED a foreign

language in a CTE high school? This is at the expense of courses that would

assist in the initial career field choice.


A student at the Buffalo school would have 3 hours of shop classes each day

for 4 years. Science and math classes were trade related ( think weight &

balance, hydraulic principles etc for aviation) and taught by people that

had qualifications for that trade.


My belief is a lot of students would be best served if at graduation they

had skills better than; “Would you like fries with that order?”

Continuing education such as Community Colleges can assist those that

have different aspirations. A 18 year old likely has more realistic career

goals than a 14 year old. IMHO if you want an Education System to be

successful then you have to show students a path to success.

 

[pfarber]

Military

A 4-6 year commitment for a 1 year certificate? NOPE

There are benefits to service (quite a lot, actually) but long run getting on the seniority list 4-6 years before someone else is worth its weight in gold (figuratively speaking).

The FAA dropped the hours requirement and is now based on completing tasks which is significantly short time than OJT or serving.

Even before the Pt 147 rewrite there were schools doing AnPs in less than a year.

100% go the CC route. I already found a local FREE AnP course at a local CC for my son if he ever wants to get his certificate.

 

[pfarber]

There are also a number of missionary groups with aviation assets that provide paths for people to obtain pilot and mechanic certificates as part of supporting their mission.

Does that include a free round trip to 4th world locations? Good on people that help, but they will never SOLVE the problem. Wanna stop hunger in Africa? To quote our Lord and Savior Sam Kinison

Maybe NSFW:

Also if you think GA pays poorly, I can only imagine the hourly rate of 'missionary'.

 

[Half Fast]

Also if you think GA pays poorly, I can only imagine the hourly rate of 'missionary'.

I do engineering missions work from time to time. You're right, the pay is terrible (it comes out of my own pocket), but I understand the retirement plan is out of this world......

 

[Bell206]

Does that include a free round trip to 4th world locations?

Well, for some its their choosen path. But in the context of the thread, its merely another option to obtain an A&P if they so chose. Just because you're clueless on this route, doesnt mean its the same for others.

 

[Magman]

Joining the Military to get the civilian A& P does not make sense.

However; I would strongly suggest that anyone in the military and believes

they have qualifying experience to pursue the Cert BEFORE separation.

Having the A& P opens the door to many career possibilities such as

civilian contractors , FAA, DOD, etc. Your MIL time will count toward

retirement and possibly increments. Being able to claim “ Veteran’s

Preference” is another bonus.

My bro opted for a Quality Assurance with DoD. He was involved with

oversight of a major Aerospace firm that included the Shuttle, F-22 & 35

as well as Artemis. Other projects were so “black” his boss was not

allowed to know about.

With some really great career opportunities the Tripacer and 172 crowd

may have difficulties finding someone to service their aircraft. My

suggestion is that anyone getting involved in Aviation start a logbook

of their activities. You are never too young or too old to do this.

 

[soarohio]

If you have any flying museum in your area he might want to volunteer to help maintain/restore the planes. He can get some hands-on experience to see if he likes the work.

 

[4RNB]

I hope this is the correct forum to ask this question.
My girlfriend's 15 yr old son is thinking about becoming an aviation mechanic and possibly an A/P IA. What would be the most cost effective way to get into the profession? Tech school? Apprenticeship? Community college? Any tips I could pass on to him would be welcomed. We live near Tampa Florida.

1. Have him join the forum and ask for himself...
2. On the job training. He should be in a shop now working for free until they will hire him. Adventist aviation did this, kid ended up getting his AP while getting paid (he was ready to test months ago, I assume he passed). Clean the toilets, take out the trash, anything they will let him do. Wash/wax planes.
3. Move to NC and go to community college, very affordable.
4. Get the LSRM/A for $5-6K. Start his own business, gain experience, then self endorse for the AP test.

 

[Magman]

I would agree with you you on” 2”; but at least 50 years ago.

Workman’s Comp age restrictions can be devastating. Organizations such as

the Bou Scouts of America suffered from other factors and now have

policies to protect youth. One of the saddest things i ever heard was that

a group had to buy a 4 place aircraft because of less liability due to

avoiding 1 adult and 1 kid that a 2 place would provide.


Some of the kids I mentored started with basics and have great careers.

Now however; I will only do so if some type of program is actually in place.

A severe burn while welding or a rib stitch needle in the eye are very real

possibilities. Obviously devastating to all parties.


One aviation museum did as you suggest. Students were issued logbooks

and they entered the days activities which I would then sign as a A & P.

The thought was this was the beginning of the quest. Anytime the person

did any type of maintenance activity it should be entered in the log.

This works with “ kids of all ages” as I like to say. One retired cop got

her IA this way. The CFI took 10 years of working on her rental aircraft to

achieve that.

 

[murphey]

Curious, what has changed to make becoming an A&P so different today? Is it basically a lack of interest in working with your hands versus playing with computer games and the rest of electronic type distractions?

The shop that works on my cherokee has 3 apprentices. #1 is retired and doing this because he wants to. Don't know the story on #2 but #3 is about to finish her BS in aviation management at the university, already has her CFII and is adding the A&P to her resume.

I know 5 owners at the airport that went thru A&P one way or another after they retired or decided to change careers.

 

[Steamflyer]

Education policies are developed that are not really in the public’s best

interests. One AMT School is currently in the process of shutting down.

Not because of lack of students or ability to get the first job. Rather it’s

because of graduates were placed outside the county but the same state.

This is not the first program to close from this rationale.

If it's the one I'm thinking of, it's in a county with basically one airport. And a deep pocket wanted the space to train workers for much lower paying jobs, but a lot of them. Probably makes some quota of "bringing new jobs into the county" which is an integer irregardless of overall economic benefit. Not to mention it was an excellent school whose graduates could hit the ground running.