Skylane81E
Final Approach
Wasn't too long ago that a clampdown was made on the definition of "actively engaged" for IA issuance.
Just a data point
Just a data point
Pilot debating A&P certs
- Thread starter ProspectingCFI
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It's what, two annual inspections and a place of business ?
Doing your own oil changes probably doesn't qualify as 'actively engaged', but fixing stuff on the schools planes while working as a CFI should.
Skylane81E
Final Approach
Not for an IA, but the rules there are tougher as I think the FAA wants IAs to be professional mechanics, not just certificated ones.
A full time CFI could likely get the needed experience to keep an A&P current, but before I spent the time and money on an A&P "fall back" I'd want to be sure the FSDO isn't wanting and average 1/4 of my time to be spent on maintenance. It is a strict reading of the regs, but not out of the relm of possibility.
ajstoner21
Cleared for Takeoff
I am a pilot working on my A&P at a community college. The entire Airframe and powerplant program is less than $8k including a set of Matco/Snapon Tools
Silvaire
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Silvaire
There are a lot of IA's out there who are not active. They are, like a lot of pilots, just ticket collectors and many never had any intention of utilizing the license. They attend annual "Refresher Courses" which are sanctioned by the FAA and are basically an 8 hour vendor fair with free coffee and donuts along with a couple of informational training lectures. In recent years the lectures have focused largely on how to properly fill out the paperwork for renewal. Whereas it used to be pretty simple you now have to provide copies of everything including your driver's license and fill out an Airman's Bill of Rights form.
For those who are active and perform at least 4 annual inspections or 8 337 submissions per year for the two year renewal period there is no need to attend the seminars but you might need to go to a night course to keep up on the ever-changing. In the old days it was pretty simple, before the FSDO's became ensconced behind bulletproof glass and airlocks
Skylane81E
Final Approach
Yes and no,
The message we were given two years ago is that ticket collectors will not be able to renew IAs. So 4 annuals or 8 337s or classes
AND actively working as a mechanic.
I get the point of it, just not sure I'm sold on it.
The message we were given two years ago is that ticket collectors will not be able to renew IAs. So 4 annuals or 8 337s or classes
AND actively working as a mechanic.
I get the point of it, just not sure I'm sold on it.
Witmo
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Tim
I've never heard of any A&P getting called to task for "not being current." What proof am I required to maintain? And to those who think preventative maintenance doesn't count show me exactly what does. Just because an owner/operator with at least a private pilot's license is allowed to do PM, they are not technically allowed to do so on other people's aircraft while I am. Those people may pay me for my A&P credentials to do it for them if they are not so inclined. Except for an IA which has specific currency requirements defined (# of annuals, 337s etc), every time I touch an airplane or sign a log entry--I am actively engaged as an A&P until the FAA defines what that means and specifies an approved method of documenting it.
I also know several A&Ps who have IA and only own one plane that they work on. They go to renewal seminars to keep the IA current. If I chose to obtain an IA and specialize in the model aircraft I own and only do annuals on that model, why would the FAA care? Getting an annual from someone who chooses to work on one model aircraft would probably result in a pretty knowledgeable IA for that model.
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Skylane81E
Final Approach
Those prices make it easier to justify, next question becomes can you work it into your work schedule?
Vaflier
Pre-takeoff checklist
Anyone aware of a good ONLINE APPROACH. To getting your A and P certificates ?. I know there would have to be some hands on activity included but it seems that the class work could be done online and make it a lot easier for those of us who live in the middle of no where to achieve this goal. Any info you could share would be most appreciated.
Randy
Randy
Witmo
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Tim
There's plenty of computer testing software to prep for the knowledge tests but unless you physically go to a part 147 school or qualify to test under the experience clauses of the regulation, you'll never be approved to take any of the tests.
hindsight2020
Final Approach
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Ah how I wish owner-experimental became a reality....
Skylane81E
Final Approach
Nope.
weirdjim
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weirdjim
Yes. Find yourself a good heads-up mechanic or IA willing to listen to how you want to satisfy the regs that require you to have 30 months of practical experience to sit for the A&P exams.
Find somebody (or preferably somebodies) who wants to maintain their own airplane(s). Help them to the extent possible. Read everything you can about the things they want to do. Not only is the GREASY work part of the 30 months, but all of the reading on how to do it is part of "experience". Log every SECOND of the greasy work and every SECOND of the background reading. Each and every SECOND is applicable to the "experience" requirement.
Ask your A&P (preferably an IA) to go to his PMI (Principal Maintenance Inspector) to have a heart to heart talk about what "full time" work for the rating means. Some say 30 hours a week. Some have a fairly loose and interpretive definition. Have your IA come to some meeting of the minds as to what "full time" means when they sign your experience letter.
Do what is necessary to fulfill the requirement, sit for the exam, and welcome to the profession.
Jim
Ventucky Red
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Jon
Wow, lots of opinions. Thanks guys great info
I knew there were recency requirements but at least 6 months every 24 is quite a lot to keep up on. is a part time A&P job common at all? Or is it mostly full time positions?
As far as difficulty and study time that needs to be invested, how does it compare to pilots? I know I had to hit the books pretty hard for cfi but still nothing compared to say somebody in med school I'd imagineI've often wondered this, who worked harder to get where they are?
It sounds like it can be had for around $15k huh? I'll have to look at unit costs and everything else since I want the college degree too.
Matt I say go for it... I have a nephew that went through an automotive program at El Camino College and is now making $75K per year as a Specialist Tech II for Toyota... What ever the hell that is, and not to bad for a 21 year old... And he is now working his way through Cal State Long Beach...
I think when it was all said and done he paid a little over $12K for the education..