How many aircraft/A&P's here ?

[iioogherkin]

I'm not sure if anyone saw where I mentioned that most, if not all, of the students at the local tech school end up working at the local Air Force base. There are contractors but most are AF civilians. Does anyone have any experience being on the civilian side of the Air Force or working with them as a contractor?

 

[davo727]

Airline job is great for me. Been there 25 yrs. Make 85-90k if I sign up and work a little OT, or 75-78k if I dont feel like working extra. I have 6 weeks paid vacation.

If you want to really make good money go to UPS, Fedex or Southwest and an A&P mech will make almost 100k before overtime.

 

[DT62]

Young 'un here. Just wrapped up my first year as an employed A&P. Most of my work is teardown/rebuild of JT9D and JT8D motors, but occasionally I work on the company's 747's and 727's. I live the spoiled life, 80% of my work is in a heated hangar and the worst I have to deal with is QEC stuff. Some of you ex-B52 guys were probably stationed at one time where I work. Wurtsmith AFB.

 

[DT62]

Not an A&P but I play one in my workshop. I'm restoring an Aeronca Champ and I have an I/A who oversees my work and signs it off. On my day job I work with a lot of mechanics as I fly cargo 747's all over the dam world and we always carry a ride on mechanic.

Kalitta?

 

[Jbizzle]

Wow, Just joined the site and did not expect there to be so many A&P's here. Reading through all the post's I can't believe how much experience there is here. I am 31 yrs old, A&P/IA and been doing it for about 12 years. Airforce, FBO's, Manufacturers and currently doing contract work which is awesome! Worked KC-135's, Various GA, Eclipse 500, Pilatus PC-12 and AN28

 

[Ramblur]

30 years here but haven't worked under it in 20 yrs... BUT spend my days repairing washers and dryers, lawn equipment,etc. and even unplug a toilet or two next door to this:

So I really don't miss it that much. Maybe when I retire I might pick it up
again.

 

[HillsME]

I got my A&P in 1970. Then went in the Air Force to avoid the draft; worked on UH-1N helicopters. Hated the military and ended up hating helicopters.
Got work building wood product equipment and never looked back. Better pay, better locations and more interesting work.

 

[Man Cave]

Kalitta?

Yup.

 

[Honch]

A&P certificate since 1988, since then all but 1.5 years have been in aviation.

14 years with a major carrier both base and line maintenance.
9 years repair station / MRO facilities.

 

[aviationgearhead]

6 years coast guard and now 4 years with Maryland State Police.

 

[mbret2004]

30-years USAF. F-101, T-33, F-106, B-52, F-4, F-15, KC-135. I now manage an FAA Repair Station.

 

[twinrider1]

20+ years. No airliners, no corporate, no GA ****, just this kinda stuff..

ZRX61, I have a tie pin with that North American logo on it (with what I think is a tiny diamond in the center). My dad was a lead man there for 17 years.

I have my A&P. Never have used it as a paid professional. Just some side work with a IA friend on his family's planes.

 

[porschedude996TT]

One here!

 

[mikemolzahn]

Retired USAF Engine Specialist 1984-2004 working C-130's and MH-53J/M's then worked defense contractor for 2 yrs. Then I went off to A&P School at Spartan College. Worked 1 yr corporate/GA working King Air's and Learjets. Then came the corporate crash of 2009, then I got picked up by American Eagle Airlines. Been here for 3 yrs.

Join in and Be Heard
Mike

 

[CopterDoc]

First four years in the army was spent working on helicopters, the last 3.5 in quality control. Still working helicopters in the civilian world while I hit the books full time. Not that I hate aircraft I just need a change.

 

[bad311]

6 years military, F-15, C-130, and MQ-1, 12 years at Gulfstream G100, G150, G200, G280, GII, GIII, GIV, GV, G550

 

[Kajun]

US Naval Aviation 20 yrs retired...structures and NDI tech....now doing contract NDI on the Air Force KC-10's and E8C Joint Stars ...love it and wouldn't change a thing !

 

[wrenchon727]

21 Years at FedEx and still enjoy it. I also have a 1946 Aeronca Champ I have in the garage that I have been restoring.

 

[bhalv]

powerplant o&p's passed, 4 weeks and counting till written's.

 

[Coloradotrailrider]

I have had my A&P since 1994, never worked in the industry though. I have been a Diesel Mechanic for going on 18 years now.

 

[Trbobuick]

powerplant o&p's passed, 4 weeks and counting till written's.

Awsome ! I have last years prepware disk if you need a copy. Same exact questions that are on the writtens .

 

[bhalv]

Awsome ! I have last years prepware disk if you need a copy. Same exact questions that are on the writtens .

Thanks for the offer but I already have access to the prepare at school.

 

[dbabuddy]

not a&p, 8 years in the airforce worked electronic warfare sys on f-4, f-16 and b-1. 3 years at Boeing Wichita, worked on the first 737nextgens to come off the line. Currently 13 years at Cessan Aircraft Company. I work experimental avionics and get to build the first models that we make. Citation Soverign, Mustang, XLS, X, M2 just to name a few

 

[Trbobuick]

not a&p, 8 years in the airforce worked electronic warfare sys on f-4, f-16 and b-1. 3 years at Boeing Wichita, worked on the first 737nextgens to come off the line. Currently 13 years at Cessan Aircraft Company. I work experimental avionics and get to build the first models that we make. Citation Soverign, Mustang, XLS, X, M2 just to name a few

Please do me a favor. If the guy who designed the wing tip for a 210 is still around , walk up and punch him right in the nose.
And then fly a skyline JT-A for me.

 

[ZRX61]

That looks like Kermits Aircraft Cemetery.. where airworthy planes go to be parked & never fly again...

 

[ietech]

29 yrs McClellan AFB (Civil Service) Depot maint/mod Worked on F-100, F-101, Thud(F-105), F-106, F-4, FB-111A, F-115, A10, T-37, F-5. various mods and maint. These were good years. 70 YO now and regret that those days are over --- Good times. Retired 1993. Assisted, as my first job, to cacoon and ship the few remaining B-25s for moth balls in 1964.

Thanks to you guys for bringing back the memories TY

 

[ZRX61]

ZRX61, I have a tie pin with that North American logo on it (with what I think is a tiny diamond in the center). My dad was a lead man there for 17 years.

I see lots of them pop up on Ebay along with old stock certificates.



After talking with my Dr the past few weeks I think I'm done with aircraft.

 

[fengle12]

aircraft structural mechanic/painter on f-22's and starting next year f-35's

been in the biz for 4.5 years now, 2 at in palmdale and the rest and counting at nellis afb as a contractor. feel like a youngster compared to all the experience on here

 

[ietech]

aircraft structural mechanic/painter on f-22's and starting next year f-35's

been in the biz for 4.5 years now, 2 at in palmdale and the rest and counting at nellis afb as a contractor. feel like a youngster compared to all the experience on here

Good Luck to you young man --- work hard and you can be proud,

 

[topchedda]

Got my A&P about 1.5 years ago. Worked with a local GA IA while going through highschool, after graduation worked for a regional airliner and then moved on to a corporate job. Can't say I'd want to be doing anything else.

 

[ZRX61]

aircraft structural mechanic/painter on f-22's and starting next year f-35's

been in the biz for 4.5 years now, 2 at in palmdale and the rest and counting at nellis afb as a contractor. feel like a youngster compared to all the experience on here

Did ya work for Rubin?

 

[brian lee]

A&P in 92, was c-130 crew chief from 85-92. Worked for the saudis when i got out on their 130's. Been doin the regional thing since i came back from saudi in 97. Been QA inspector for 12 years now

 

[fengle12]

Did ya work for Rubin?

Rubin was one of the leads on days. I worked swing shift. But when I started there I was on days for awhile so I worked for him for a bit

 

[MF'er]

A&P in '99, 7 years with a big airline, got laid off, didn't touch an airplane for 6 years or so. Been with an mro for a year and a half. It may not be the job it used to be, but a man can do worse.

 

[camarotoolman]

My brother just retired from the air guard, he was more of a body, paint guy on the refueling planes kc 130s I think. He was an air controler in nam with the 1st. Cav. he got a silver star. He went to PIA in Pittsbgurgh.

 

[bhalv]

Got my license 3 weeks ago, now to get a job....

 

[50 merc]

got my liscence in '87. Work on 'em daily. Built a Zenith 701 in about '92. Been half partners in a '46 PA-12, F model Bonanza, a 150, YAK 52, Mazda rotary powered 2 place autogyro

 

[2fat2fly]

Got my license 3 weeks ago, now to get a job....

Where are you looking? There are jobs to be had.

 

[bhalv]

Where are you looking? There are jobs to be had.

I the Boise Idaho area, most shops told me to come back in spring as the weather is kind of **** right now. Probably going to be doing volunteer with with a missions aviation group a couple days a week till something opens up I think.

 

[2fat2fly]

I the Boise Idaho area, most shops told me to come back in spring as the weather is kind of **** right now. Probably going to be doing volunteer with with a missions aviation group a couple days a week till something opens up I think.

Cool. Good luck with it.