Anyone an A&P mechanic?

AtlasYota

AtlasYota

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 10, 2006
Location
Hollywood, MD
Wondering what your views on the job is. If you're fixed or rotory. If you work for a big airline or small company. etc...
 
I've got 40 years as an A&P / IA. Have worked airline for a short time, small GA airport for a short time, 20 years in corporate flight department, and about 18 years in Repair Stations for small to medium sized private and corporate aircraft. I also taught some A&P classes for a short time. 99.9% of my experience is fixed wing, no rotorcraft. The rotorwing guys are their own special breed.

You'll find the best pay and benefits in corporate flight departments but the job market is small and selective. My best advice is to specialize towards data bus type electrical systems / electronics / avionics; that's where the future job market is. Glass cockpits are the norm these days.

If you're not into electronics, aircraft sheet metal / structural mods & repair as well as composite structure repair are always in demand. Guys that R&R components, pull panels for inspections, do wheel & brake work etc are not hard to find and earn the lowest wage.
 
Yea, i figure the more skilled jobs would be the better paying ones. I've been working on helicopters for the past 5 years in the military. So, now i have some down time from my job to start getting my A&P. What can you say about the rotor side of the field?
 
Petroleum Helicopters Inc is a large rotorcraft employer, check out their website. They would probably hire you without your A&P because of your military experience.

Medical helicopter operations would be a very nice assignment, if your military background is with aircraft similar to theirs you may have a good chance of employment in that field. That would be my choice for a rotorcraft job.

Good luck!
 
Got 3 more years till i get out of the military. Gonna start prepping now. Stock up on my tools. get my A&P, and start learning metal work and composite work. Should be plenty of time. Oh, and why do you say the rotorcraft guys are a special breed?
 
There are not many cross-trained guys out there. Most rotorcraft guys stay with the helicopter industry, and the fixed wing guys stay with fixed wing. There are some out there, but most stay with one or the other. In the fixed wing field the vast majority of A&P's will tell you they know nothing about a helicopter.

I know guys that can do a landing gear overhaul or an engine change on a fixed wing aircraft practically with their eyes closed. But if they had to change a rotor head or a transmission in a helicopter they would be lost.

The exception is avionics, those guys work on both fixed wing and rotorcraft; the avionics are the same.

Sounds like you have a good plan. The only other thing I would recommend to you is to study FAR 43 and 65. I've had ex-military guys work for me and they knew the military way of doing business but not the FAA way. And for some people it's hard to get them to conform to the FAA requirements after years of being in the military. In my current job I deal with FAR 21, 23, 25, 43, 45, 65, 91, 135, and 145. If you know the regs as good as your FAA inspector does, life is easier in this regulated industry.
 
Yea, i briefly looked at FAR 43 and sounds like it's not to far from the rule and regulations that i go by and use. All i know is the military side of the yard for aviation rules. Thanks for all the info and your input. Gives me a little insight on the the other side.
 
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