Flying and getting A&P
09-29-2017, 03:31 PM
#1
CFIing
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Sep 2016
Posts: 167
Flying and getting A&P
Hi everyone, I'm a flight instructor with CFI/CFII/MEI looking to get my a&p. I have done aircraft maintenance in the past, but it wasn't signed off by an a&p. I was wondering if it would be more beneficial to go to a technical school? Or find a employer that's willing to allow me to work and sign me off for the tests. However I would still like to fly in the mean time.
Thanks.
Thanks.
09-29-2017, 03:45 PM
#2
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,277
What are your ultimate goals? If it's airlines, just focus on flying until you're at your career destination airline at which time you'll the time and money for whatever hobbies you want to pursue (including A&P).
If you're more interested in part 91/135 flying, or bush flying, then an A&P may be an enabler of your flying career.
If you're more interested in part 91/135 flying, or bush flying, then an A&P may be an enabler of your flying career.
10-04-2017, 11:03 AM
#4
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2015
Posts: 116
Originally Posted by jrav8r
Hi everyone, I'm a flight instructor with CFI/CFII/MEI looking to get my a&p. I have done aircraft maintenance in the past, but it wasn't signed off by an a&p. I was wondering if it would be more beneficial to go to a technical school? Or find a employer that's willing to allow me to work and sign me off for the tests. However I would still like to fly in the mean time.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Ideally you could do both- enroll in school and wrench on the side. But if there is no school near, and you can wrench at the place you teach, then maybe that is a better option.
If there is a school near and you can manage the time commitment then go for it. HOWEVER, DON'T PAY FOR A PRIVATE TECH SCHOOL. ONLY GO TO A CITY/JUNIOR COLLEGE PROGRAM. Private tech schools cost like $40k for the same A&P that you get from a junior college program that costs 3-4k total. Don't fall into that trap!
10-05-2017, 11:13 AM
#5
Disinterested Third Party
Joined APC: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,023
Originally Posted by jrav8r
Hi everyone, I'm a flight instructor with CFI/CFII/MEI looking to get my a&p. I have done aircraft maintenance in the past, but it wasn't signed off by an a&p. I was wondering if it would be more beneficial to go to a technical school? Or find a employer that's willing to allow me to work and sign me off for the tests. However I would still like to fly in the mean time.
Thanks.
Thanks.
10-05-2017, 01:26 PM
#6
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2012
Posts: 352
Originally Posted by jrav8r
I would like to get my a&p before I go to a "real job". I would ultimately like to end up at the airlines.
10-14-2017, 09:20 PM
#7
Disinterested Third Party
Joined APC: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,023
Maintenance training and experience is never wrong. It's useful to you even if you never intend to go to work as a mechanic.
That said, what's taught in a school is very basic, indeed even lacking, as there's a lot more to learn in practice. Likewise, if you go to work at a single facility working on a limited type of aircraft or few aircraft and a narrow scope operation, you'll miss out on a great deal of what a mechanic should know. Bottom line is that the real schooling doesn't come quickly and doesn't come in school.
That said, what's taught in a school is very basic, indeed even lacking, as there's a lot more to learn in practice. Likewise, if you go to work at a single facility working on a limited type of aircraft or few aircraft and a narrow scope operation, you'll miss out on a great deal of what a mechanic should know. Bottom line is that the real schooling doesn't come quickly and doesn't come in school.
10-15-2017, 07:55 AM
#8
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,277
Originally Posted by JohnBurke
Maintenance training and experience is never wrong. It's useful to you even if you never intend to go to work as a mechanic.
10-17-2017, 10:21 PM
#9
Banned
Joined APC: Jan 2015
Posts: 516
Originally Posted by kingsnake2
If you ultimately want to end up at a Part 121 airline, I'd suggest skipping A&P and just doing flight training/flight instruction.
10-17-2017, 10:30 PM
#10
Banned
Joined APC: Jan 2015
Posts: 516
Originally Posted by kingsnake2
If you ultimately want to end up at a Part 121 airline, I'd suggest skipping A&P and just doing flight training/flight instruction.
