Originally Posted by
choppersafety
Hypoxia,
I have no fixed wing experience unfortunately and my maintenance/parts and pieces knowledge is basic and is all rotary wing related.
Coming from the Army, what was the A and P program at the community college like?
With no fixed wing experience, would attending an A and P program be an uphill battle for me technical-wise? I am interested in the program and I understand they vary between 1.5 - 2 years and require study and dedication. I just don't want to get myself in over my head.
Thank you for the response.
The General, Airframe and Powerplant curriculum may favor fixed wing but it does not exclude other aircraft. An A&P can work on Helicopters, Gliders, Airplanes, Gyrocopters, etc. The curriculum is approved by the FAA and can included: AC and DC electricity, Blueprints, Airframe class and lab, Powerplant class and lab, helicopter theory, turbine course, welding course, machine shop, etc. My training in the Army was more specific and the training in A&P school was more broad!
There are accelerated programs out there that claim to get you an A&P in about 15 months. You obviously don't need another college degree so that should chop some time off. If you flew helicopters you certainly have the aeronautical knowledge, the systems knowledge and the attention to detail. You will not be in "over your head!"
I don't know if it interests you but I would also look into getting a commercial fixed wing add-on! I think you'll have more opportunities open to you. Often accident investigators hop in simulators or use computer simulations to recreate the situation that led to the accident. Having a fixed wing license would certainly be beneficial and I believe an add-on can be done in as little as 50 hours.