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
