info on becoming aircraft tech 3

[11rookie11]

hey im a auto tech thats thinking of switching careers to an aircraft tech (jet engines). im not sure what to call it. i just wanted to know what was the best way to go about learning the trade i live in maryland and ive been to lincoln tech for auto and i hated it i learned more on the job than anything so please tell me what i need to do to learn.

 

[MintJulep]

Start by going here:

http://www.pama.org/

 

[FieldTeam]

You probably will earn more as an auto tech than working aircraft! You might want to consider joining the Navy or Air Force if you are serious about aviation. They also have good benefits and education opportunities (don't listen to the democrats on the military education)!

 

[kontiki99]

In the US, if you don't have any experience working on engines you'll have to attend an certified school before the FAA will allow you to test for a Powerplant license.

There are probably engine repair stations that will hire you without a license, you'll probably make less.

Most of the time, if your working for a larger outfit, Part 145 or 121 certified, your working under their certificate anyway.

The license is usually prerequisite for getting a job though.

Aircraft Mechanics for a long time called A&Ps (Airframe and Powerplants License) are now sometimes called AMTs (Aircraft Maintenance Technicians).

I think PAMA is a trade union.

You might also look at ->

http://www.amtonline.com/

 

[bsmith123]

Check out any 2 year airframe and powerplant trade school on-line.

Also look at embry riddle university--as a auto mech you should be able to handle the powerplant book no prob the general make take a little more work. go to landings.com and follow the links on a&P or go to faa.com and look at mechanic certification.

look at the database or test questions you'll find you know a lot already

military is also excellent place to start

good luck

 

[dgapilot]

PAMA is a trade association, not a labor union. Go to the FAA web site to find out the requirements for an A&P certificate. Basically graduate from a school (about 2 years), there is one at Manassas VA and another at Clarksburg WV. The other route is to work in the industry under the supervision of another certified mechanic or a repair station for 30 months. As many have stated, you will make more in the auto industry than in aviation. If money isn't your main objective, aviation is a rewarding occupation. Frederick Aviation in Frederick MD is looking for mechanics (not necessarily jet, as most of our work is light general aviation). Good luck in your career planning.

 

[Romefu12]

11Rookie11
Many years ago I began working the same field in auto mechanics as a hobby in High school. At that time I was also being trained as a Journeyman Machinist. I still work on all of my own vehicles. But if you don’t take this personally let me give you some advice that may help you choose a more profitable and stable career. If interested please read on.

I don’t know why you became interested in jet engines, maybe because you want to fly, in that case I suggest you become a pilot. However if you are interested in actually working with jet engines I suggest that you not consider getting your A&P (Airframe and Power plant License) yet unless you specifically want to work on aircraft frames and / or for the commercial airlines. There is a huge cyclic downside to working for the airlines as a technician including layoffs, carriers frequently go bankrupt, what I believe to be substandard pay, and the fact that if you work for most of today’s carriers you will most likely become a parts changer and actually an airframe mechanic simply because the airlines do little work on their aircraft’s engines due to the liability and safety issues. Most airlines simply cannot afford the insurance premiums of performing any real work on their engines.

As for the military route, I attempted to enlist in the US Air Force, Air National Guard and the US Navy when I was young. I took all of the testing twice and to my disadvantage, scored very well on all tests. At all of my interviews I insisted on flying aircraft and if not found qualified, I wanted to work with aircraft on the flight line, in Avionics, Engines etc. I was fortunate to meet a Master Sergeant that truthfully told me” You can apply for these positions son, however the military will do with you as they see fit once you sign on the dotted line. In my case he told me I was better qualified as a communications / encryption specialist and that is most likely where I would be sent, against my wishes. You see, you don’t have the choices you want once you sign on the line. A horror story of a friend of mine went thru with signing and he ended up in the Military Motor-pool, and he applied for communications / encryption specialist.

My point to this long story is that most of today’s jet engines are highly sophisticated in their mechanical workings, controls, and monitoring that these skills are only taught to OEM factory engine technicians and engineers such as GE, Pratt Whitney, Rolls Royce etc who actually perform the heavy maintenance, rebuild, testing, etc of these engines. It is also the OEM engineers who train military personnel in the engine maintenance programs.

My whole problem was that I was bored and saw many friends being laid off. I knew that I wanted to work on something more impressive and far more powerful than any factory car engine however I was too poor to go racing. I also knew I wanted better than average pay. What I chose was the Power Generation Industry.

Over the last 25 years I have worked for the big 3 power generation companies including Westinghouse, Siemens, and General Electric. I have been trained in land based jet engines for power generation, gas turbines, steam turbines, controls, BOP and am now a Senior Engineer in Power generation still working with land based jet engines, gas turbines and combined cycle power plants. I have traveled the world, worked long hours (as many as 120 hours per week as everyone needs power) and made many friends and contacts. I probably make 4 times the salary of what any A&P technician makes only working 40 hours per week. I have never been laid off, and can pick and choose any employer I wish because of the high demand and small number of OEM trained engineers and technicians available today as no “outside of OEM school” can provide the training I have received due to proprietary and confidential information. My hobby now is my kids and an occasional NHRA Jet Funny Car event. I made the right choice for a career with no regrets, although I admit that power generation is not for everyone.

So I tell you this, apply to GE or other OEM as a field engineer, travel the world for a while, get the training you need for free that will demand the higher salary, and set yourself up for a stable career. Stay away from the airline industry and get you’re A&P for free and when you want it as a hobby. Power generation is more stable, much higher paying, great benefits, world travel, great retirement, oh and did I mention jet engines. If you can handle it, you won’t regret it

Good Luck

Kind Regards
Romefu12

 

[thruthefence]

AS a 35 year vet of the Industry, I'm afraid Romeful12 makes alot of sense. Part of the problem is the antiquated course structure the FAA requires for the A&P certificate. ( biplane assembly & rigging, radial engines, dope & fabric work, etc ) and the time devoted to these 'deciplines' takes away from time needed to teach 'REAL WORLD' aircraft maintenance skills. Therefore, an green A&P right out of school is not a productive employee for an industry that is driven by time constraints & tight scheduling. Much labor is lost to hangar floor OJT by more the experienced people.In my mind, better initial training equals higher productivity, higher profit, & better pay for everyone.

 

[Stache]

As certificated airframe and powerplant mechanic myself with way to many years experience I would say its not a place you will get rich. If you love aviation like most of us its worth it.

I have created a mechanic tool box on my web site explaining how to and what is required to receive the FAA certificates to work on aircraft. The web site is

http://www.stacheair.com

If you are serious about aviation send my a e-mail it is provided on the site.

Stache

 

[snader]

This is my first post on this site but u can also look at

http://www.aircraftmech.com

or specifically if u want to know how to become a aircraft engineer go here:

http://www.aircraftmech.com/howto.html

 

[Flipperz]

I agree with Romefu12. If you are smart and mechanically inclined there are many opportunities to work with a high tech organization on the leading edge of some new technologies, like composites for example. Aviation is a highly regulated industry with very little room for 'creative license', especially as a mechanic. Once the novelty of working on aircraft wears off and the shitty pay and job instability start wearing on you, you will wonder why you ever got away from automotive. If you are hung up on aviation then stick to the aftermarket and suppliers to airlines for repair or manufactured products. I think you will find the challenge of the job more rewarding. Excuse the cynicism but I have been there.