Opteryx

I was reading a thread in "Leaving the Career' and it came up several times that many pilots have A&Ps. I have it - got it in college to top off my flight training and thought I was fairly in the minority. Talk in this thread seemed to indicate otherwise. Just wondering (without doing a poll) how many out there have A&Ps? Looking more for answers like "I know many" or "I've never met one".

Also, how do you think it helps, if at all, in getting hired?

JohnBurke

I don't know what the numbers are, but I are one. I've been turning wrenches as long as I've been flying (maybe a tad longer). It's kept me employed during furloughs, downsizes, and other times, and it's been a foot in the door at others. It's inconsequential if looking toward an airline job, but it's served me well, and I've always encouraged others to get maintenance experience and certification.

Note that much like pilot certificates, having the mechanic certificate is no guarantee of skill, judgement, or ability. There are a lot of "A&P" mechanics out there whom I wouldn't let touch a popsicle stick, let alone an aircraft. The same rings true for pilots. Unlike pilots, however, there are a lot of practicing mechanics out there who aren't certified, who are skilled, knowledgeable, and able. These work as apprentices or assistants, and I've met quite a few who did far better work than many practicing A&Ps in the field.

Yoda2

First of all. Ditto JB's post. I'm an A&P and pilot as well. I have received call backs, jobs and job offers over the years, due soley to having the A&P. For the sake of the discussion, pilots look very similar on paper; setting yourself apart with something additional and useful is highly beneficial. It seems you were smart and incorporated your A&P into your degree. As far as the ratios, I wouldn't know without some research. To hazard as guess, I would say we are still in the vast minority. Logic might dictate higher concentrations in particular fields or geographic areas such as possibly Alaska, though I really don't know...

bozobigtop

I agree with yoda2 in which the A&P will set your resume apart from other resumes as a pilot. I have the A&P as well and never had to turn wrenches because I was flying or doing something else. I have had to use these skills for paperwork/logbook reasons such as ensuring the work was completed correctly and signed off. I have had other employers aviation and non-aviation attempt to recruit me because of the A&P. The licenses are like any other license whereas you can train the person or not in which so many US companies prefer not to train. Some foreign employers are eager to train.

Herb Flemmming

I busted knuckles for 5 years prior to flying for money, I worked in Africa as a A&P pilot and i really enjoyed it and, i flew flew 2500 hours in 3 years, got a Type and my 1000PIC turbine knocked out, all while getting paid a proper wage and seeing the world a bit.

One thing though there is a A&P with experience and a guy with a A&P and no experience which he has a license to be dangerous. Get some experience, because a lot of pilot A&P jobs are not for noobs, everything is on you.

rickair7777

Very few airline pilots. It will not help you get an airline job as much a couple thousand more turbine hours, or a masters degree.

It is helpful or necessary for some general aviation jobs...especially a lot of the fun ones.

Apokleros

I don't have an A&P license, but I would like to get one because I want to be a corporate pilot. Is it needed? Most likely not. Notwithstanding that, I think it's a great way of keeping a presence in General Aviation.

BlazingSaddles

Would it help a guy switch from 121 flying to corporate? I keep debating about taking a year off and getting it but then if I do I'm no longer current flying and almost every corporate job posting I see wants a few hundred hours in type as well as in the past year.

Duksrule

I actually did a poll on this not long ago http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/hi...p-license.html

I too have mine and is seems about 50/50 almost.

Opteryx

Well, I'd venture a guess that that poll is skewed - I doubt 60% of pilots also have A&Ps. Most likely mostly those with A&Ps are attracted to the topic enough to go there, read, and take the poll.