How many aircraft/A&P's here ?

[Dave928]

20 years.

5 years C & D checks, 727, 737's. little '47, DC-10, MD-80, A319s thrown in.

15 years at Boeing working final assy on 737, with some 767 and 777. lately working flightline mech at the 737 delivery center at KBFI...

 

[ShoppyCopy]

12 Years on Canadair Regional Junk. 200/700/900

 

[89MustangGX]

Work for Boeing here in Washington.

Started out as an Electrician, went into Test, then Management (learned my lesson), now I teach Electrical.

Adam

 

[mattygee]

22 years line/avionics mechanic at major airline.

M

 

[Devildogs]

4 years flightline CH 53E for USMC

 

[bhalv]

Not an A&P yet, sitting in Aircraft Inspections class right now, getting prepped for O&P's for general and airframe 6 days from now.

 

[rdawson]

Not an A&P but 29yrs Air Reserve Tech. Machinist/Welder. Started on C-124s, then to C-130s and retired in 1994 while on A-10s. It was an interesting ride.

 

[2fat2fly]

Not an A&P yet, sitting in Aircraft Inspections class right now, getting prepped for O&P's for general and airframe 6 days from now.

Good luck on your O&P's.

 

[jetmech09]

Not an A&P yet, sitting in Aircraft Inspections class right now, getting prepped for O&P's for general and airframe 6 days from now.

Good luck!
They're easier than they sound. Don't get too nervous!

 

[mikerice60]

Good luck on your O&Ps - I enjoyed mine- don't get freaked out on them.

Finished my O&Ps in February 2012- for me, a proud moment finishing a life long goal. Currently doing a top overhaul on a little 4 banger Continental and loving every minute. It is my plane, and I am the mechanic, finally getting my hands greasy, instead of just reading the book...

 

[bhalv]

luckily both of our DME's are really chill and our FAA rep isn't too bad either; just ready to get through the first round of testing after a little over 1000 hours of class.

 

[ShoppyCopy]

Good luck!
They're easier than they sound. Don't get too nervous!

Second That Good Luck

 

[Bronson]

Since 1982, retired now. Started on Line service, comercial,
Military and general Aviation while in A&P school. Then commercial aviation and R and D for experimental turbo STC's. Contract work for NASA. Then, Bell UH-1, OH-58 Kiowa Warrior, Cobra , V-22 Osprey, and too many civilain models to name. I miss it. Sometimes.

 

[jetmech09]

luckily both of our DME's are really chill and our FAA rep isn't too bad either; just ready to get through the first round of testing after a little over 1000 hours of class.

Lucky. I had to take all 9 of my tests at the end of the 1900 hours or whatever it is. Did them all consecutively. What a load of stress. I don't know if its the same where you are, but my DME, if I was off by a little bit, would almost guide me to the proper answer. I got one question wrong "where do you send form 337" to which I immediately answered the local FSDO. Don't do that.

 

[1949 caddyman]

Never got the A&P but did 4 years in Air Force. Crew chief F-4C & F-102 1967-1970

 

[ourkid2000]

7 years avionics (line, Crew Chief) at various airlines and MRO's......in Canada we Avionics cats are known as AME-E's (as opposed to AME-M's for mechanical folks)

 

[Bruce4310TX]

lets see 30 yrs Aero & jet commander, metro 2,3,4, line mtc. Then migrated to the big show Eng OVHL JT3, JT8 and 217, CF6 all dash models, Line mtc AND AO systems and structure MD80, 82, 83, DC8, DC10, MD11, 727, 757, 767, 777, Currently Crew chief eng shop on 01 fan, 03 intermediate case, and gearbox 06 RB211 and Trent. loved working on the MD80 like working on a old car, Favorite was the 757 systems, looking fwd to working on the 787 in the next few years and retire from there........

 

[copterdoctor]

got my start in 2004. Worked for a big helicopter flight school, and was luck enough to get a job in AK before the infamous Silver State Helicopters house of cards came tumbling down.
Been a field mechanic since 2007.
I still live in AK, but work in Hawaii. I've got an E model MD500 and a B2 Astar I maintain. Just me, 2 pilots, and 2 helicopters. Life is good, minus the 3 month on 1 month off schedule. but the money makes it worth it.
I figure I'll turn wrenches for another 5 years or so and transition to a desk job for a while. then once we get the kids out of the house the wife and I are selling everything and moving over seas. Probably south east asia. I'll get a job wrenching again probably, but I won't have all the stress of living to work vs working to live.
Aviation has been really good to me. Even with all the stress involved I wouldn't want to do anything else. It was by chance I got into the industry, and I feel very very fortunate that I did.

 

[VolvoMan]

As Brag sheets are in, Not an A&P, but 7 Years with the RAF, Worked on the following:

Gnat, Harrier, Tornado, Hawk, Jaguar, Hunter, Lightning, Phantom, A-10, L1011, 747, 737, DC8, 707, C-130, Vulcan, Lancaster, Spitfire, Hurricane, Mustang, Chipmunk, Fokke Wulf F190, Nimrod AEW, VC10, Buccaneer, Victor, Enstrom Helicopters, Super Guppy, Belfast, Bulldog, C-160 Transall, Andover, HS146, Canberra.

and that's just what I can remember from 20 years ago, I was on the ground transportation team for 3 years, and got to work on a different aircraft every week, Those above are just what stands out in memory, I know we did a lot more, some older, some newer.

 

[shaune]

In Canada if you are licensed we are called Aircraft Maintenance Engineers. Been one for 24 yrs now, 22 years with the same bunch maintaining various "water bombers".

PBY 5A....gone now
Grumman Trackers, CS2F, retardant bombers, soon to be gone.
CL 215 actual water bombers
Convair 580s....retardant bombers
Beech Barons, Aerostars, and now Turbo Commanders.
Old radials and now fancy schmancy turbines.
Job has been good to me.

 

[JimVonBaden]

In Canada if you are licensed we are called Aircraft Maintenance Engineers. Been one for 24 yrs now, 22 years with the same bunch maintaining various "water bombers".

.

Do you have to have a degree, or is it like a sanitation engineer?

Jim

 

[shaune]

Well not sure how long a "real engineer" needs to go to school but a Canadian AME will be licensed after 4 yrs, plus annual recurrent training. Another interesting point is a "real engineer" may have designed the aircraft.......but once it's built and flying.....THEY CAN'T SIGN IT OUT !

 

[JimVonBaden]

Well not sure how long a "real engineer" needs to go to school but a Canadian AME will be licensed after 4 yrs, plus annual recurrent training. Another interesting point is a "real engineer" may have designed the aircraft.......but once it's built and flying.....THEY CAN'T SIGN IT OUT !

It was a joke, as noted by the smilie.

I firmly believe that a profession like an A&P with lots of required schooling and testing is just as "educated" after a minimum of 4 years experience as a just out of college engineer, and a hell of a lot more useful. The engineer still needs 4 more years experience to approach the level the A&P hit at just 4 years.

Jim

 

[bhalv]

one step closer, O&P's dominated, and on to airframe and general written's.

 

[Trbobuick]

one step closer, O&P's dominated, and on to airframe and general written's.

Good luck .

 

[iioogherkin]

An interested guy here with a few questions for you A&P types. I'm currently employed as a systems support tech for a defense contractor overseas(Asia). I'm a veteran and was an intelligence system/electronics maintainer when I was in. I earned an Associates in Electronics during my time. I would like to get into a more hands on career. I like my job now but sitting at a desk everyday is starting to wear on me.

My hometown has a technical college with an Aviation Maintenance associates program that offers co-ops with the local AFB. It's a two and a half/three year program and they do a six month full time school then six month full time work rotation. They also offer the FAA A&P exams once you've completed the program. I would plan on using my GI Bill for school.

What are your opinions on the current/future of this career field? My main reasons for contemplating the change is to be back home around family since my wife and I will be starting our own soon and to have a job I enjoy doing real work.

Edit: I'll add that I would hopefully end up as an AF Civilian or contractor working at Robins AFB. The tech school and AFB have a close relationship training folks to fill jobs.

 

[mattygee]

Well... Its been a pretty decent run for me, but one must keep your expectations in check. I dont know a huge amount about GA, but if you plan on working for an airline, you have to go where the jobs are, which chances are won't be in your hometown. Generally speaking, there is demand for A&P's in many sectors of aviation, with pay and benefits all over the map. Finding people who can actually use tools and troubleshoot systems is tough to do these days.

There is a disease called AIDS which in this case stands for Airline Induced Divorce Syndrome which is real and strikes many. It is the result of forced relocations away from family, working weekends, holidays and shift work. Much of airline maintenance is done at night, so you may be able to run from graveyard shift, but you can't hide.

I work in a small out station for a major airline, near my hometown but I did 9 years in a hub city before I was able to transfer out.

Having said all that, having an A&P in your pocket is never a bad thing.

Good Luck!

MG

 

[sgmccool]

4 years USMC working in VMAQ-2 on EA-6B's.
23+ years for a Major Air Line, still doing it. I'm a Lead Technician and love it.

Been super luckly, I hired into a day shift weekends off job and have had that ever since.

Air lines are tough as another post said. There are jobs out there. I have a friend who's son with no experiance (A&P out of high school) got hired as a Line Tech for US airways in philly. My company hires almost monthly in NYC but you have to do two years min. there.

Good luck

 

[jetmech09]

It's been good to me also, but be ready for long, hard hours. Is definitely not very family friendly. Weird hours, long shifts, lots of stress, the fine line between being safe and making delivery time...it wears on you. It also depends on what area of aviation you're in. Airlines/corporate/GA, they are all a little different. Get ready to move a lot. Forget about benefits if you are a contractor.

 

[4Tigers]

Not an A&P I've worked on Aircraft for twenty years plus mostly Cessna and Aztec

Also builtt this RV9A slow build kit over a two year span

 

[copterdoctor]

It's been good to me also, but be ready for long, hard hours. Is definitely not very family friendly. Weird hours, long shifts, lots of stress, the fine line between being safe and making delivery time...it wears on you. It also depends on what area of aviation you're in. Airlines/corporate/GA, they are all a little different. Get ready to move a lot. Forget about benefits if you are a contractor.

ya, a guy has to be careful about AIDS in this industry for sure... seen it happen more times than I can count...

and for those not in the know.. AIDS= Aviation Induced Divorce Syndrome.

 

[sgmccool]

Another thing in the Aviation industry, you better have thick skin, there is always someone trying to get under it and wear you out. It can be like working in a day care center sometimes.

 

[LuvAZ]

Hello All, I've been a longtime lurker as I've been directed here from other car forums I frequent.
Got my A&P in 1983 after graduating from East Coast Aero Tech near Boston. I've helped run many repair stations and airlines out of business since then, in all corners of the globe any time night or day. Been behind a desk since '96 and do all my wrenching at home, preferably on my Cobra (replica) that I built six years ago.

Thanks,
Will

 

[ZRX61]

What are your opinions on the current/future of this career field? My main reasons for contemplating the change is to be back home around family since my wife and I will be starting our own soon and to have a job I enjoy doing real work.

If it all goes to **** you can go work at Six Flags on their rides as they employ A&Ps to look after the coasters etc.

One of their interview questions is to hand you a bowl of assorted hardware & ask you to identify each type. Friend of mine had got that far into the interview & realized he didn't want to work there. When they handed him the bowl of hardware he took one look at it, said "It's all cheap ****", dropped it in the trash can & walked out the door

 

[440-6 Shaker]

USAF 22 years... and counting...
Machinist & Welder - Started on F-16's now working on C-130's

 

[2011gt]

A&P here. Worked the airlines for 5 years, worked government contract for 2 now I'm working corporate.

 

[Akfrostbyte]

20+ Years A&P IA, Located in Anchorage, Alaska. New to this website.

 

[Crank1]

Did 5 years in the USMC on MV-22B Ospreys, Got my A&P license and work on p.o.s. regionals... Miss my bird from the Marines sooo bad!

 

[angzt]

What are your opinions on the current/future of this career field?

Aviation is a poor job choice if you are looking to spend more time with your family. You will find yourself working many long nights, weekend's and holiday's. Some guy's will say aviation is great, but the truth is, it's a life of turning wrenches. Some day's you will smell like nothing but fuel, other day's you will have skydrol pouring into your eyes. Meanwhile you just cut your finger open on that piece of safety wire that the last person forgot to pigtail correctly, and of course I forgot to mention the whole time you have to be standing on your head! Because the brilliant engineers designed all these components to be in the most ridiculous places ever! Don't call me disgruntled, I'm just saying how it is. I love turning wrenches and it's in my blood. It's going to be what I do for the rest of my time.

 

[Trbobuick]

Aviation is a poor job choice if you are looking to spend more time with your family. You will find yourself working many long nights, weekend's and holiday's. Some guy's will say aviation is great, but the truth is, it's a life of turning wrenches. Some day's you will smell like nothing but fuel, other day's you will have skydrol pouring into your eyes. Meanwhile you just cut your finger open on that piece of safety wire that the last person forgot to pigtail correctly, and of course I forgot to mention the whole time you have to be standing on your head! Because the brilliant engineers designed all these components to be in the most ridiculous places ever! Don't call me disgruntled, I'm just saying how it is. I love turning wrenches and it's in my blood. It's going to be what I do for the rest of my time.

I have to disagree with you. I work in GA , and while the money is less the job benefits are much greater. I work 8-5 monday thru friday , boss pays 100% of my insurance, i can come in late or leave early whenever i like, my family comes by whenever they want ( we had a picnic right outside the hangar and watched planes coming and going ) , and soon im getting to learn how to fly helicopters for free since we own three.

I will never work for the big airlines. Everybody i know that does is miserable. I think advising people that it is a poor career choice is a poor choice of words. I see my family every night, i am able to put food on the table with my earnings, and it a HELL of a lot cleaner than wrenching on cars.