I want to get my A&P, and maybe my AI. Is it possible to have a full time job at either a regional or a Pt 135 operation and attend A&P school, or is better to wait on getting a flying job until I receive the A&P. i'd like to get the A&P for a back up option and so that i could get into restoration projects, plus if I couldn't fly I could be a flight engineer (if they aren't gone too soon).
What about attending a traditional university while working as a pilot? I'm just debating whether I go finish my bachelors at a University, attend A&P school, or get a flying job and finish up my bachelors online some how.

 

A and P school is pretty much full time, at least as far as I know. I think that would be a good back up/asset to a flying career. The F/E jobs are becoming fewer and farther between all the time, and it will get worse. A four year degree will open doors for the top end jobs, and will also be a career back up.

Most entry level flying jobs are full time. You might be able to CFI part time while in A and P school, or something like that. 135 and 121 jobs are full time. Once you're in and have the seniority to work the system, you might have time for a second "job", but I wouldn't plan on that.

 

I'm flying for a regional and finishing my degree online, and it's not that bad. I'm sitting reserve, and my company's pretty fat on FOs, so I have plenty of time to sit on my laptop and watch lectures and answer questions, etc. Factors that can make a big difference are, which degree you're pursuing, how much of your degree you have finished, and which classes your school offers online. It's a good idea to have your AA and any prerequisites for your degree finished before you start a flying job. I'm working towards an Engineering Technology degree and finding out the hard way that while all of the upper level courses are offered online, some of the lower level prerequisites, that are not part on an AA are not available online.

 

I have all the classes I need for my A.A.S in flight technology, but I can't graduate untill I finish my commercial/instrument next few weeks. I'm also working on a Bio degree. I just want to get the A&P, but i don't want to miss any opportunities for flying jobs.

 

I just finished A&P school here in Los Angeles. I graduated from RedStone College formally Northrop Rice.. I was working at Rockwell Collins and going to School full time. I did it with only 3 hours of sleep each night. Not only that but after you finish the school you have to prep yourself for 3 written exams General, Airframe and Powerplant. After that you have to prep for an Oral and Practical which takes about 2 days depending on your DME (Designated Mechanic Examiner).

I say do it. I'm on the same page as you. I did this as a backup career just in case in the future I loose my medical or somthing along those lines.

Remember... it's a lot of money!!! A&P school costsed me about $31k. I'm starting to regret thinking I could've spent that much money at a FBO to get all my training done.

It's almost impossible for you to work as a Pilot and a A&P mechanic. Most A&P Mechanics work about a 9-10 hour shift unless your working a part time SET schedule at a flight school. And on your first sentence you said "AI" I'm assuming you meant "IA". To keep your IA current you need to do an annual inspection within a 6 months period to keep it current. It's in FAR 65 somewhere I think... not to sure.

I regret a lot. I'm starting to wish I went to flight school instead. I'm confused on my goals right now.

I hope this information helped.

PeterK

 

JsfBoat,

I'm an ATP with an A&P. I flight instructed first, got some flight experience, then took a break from flying and got my A&P. After that I went back to flying for a company that required an A&P, and now I fly jets for a Frac. and don't use my A&P.

I'm glad I did it, and it opened some doors for me that would not have been available otherwise. But do some research on companies that want Pilot/Mechanics because that may just string you along, and use you as a mechanic and dangle the "flight time carrot" in front of you the whole time.

In terms of receiving a bachelors. What are your aviation goals? Do you want to work for a major airline? If the answer is a definite yes then I would recommend completing your bachelors now, before you get sunk into the system too much. I just got my AAS and it's all I needed. I wanted to get a degree and get flying.

Flying while in A&P school would be difficult. I worked construction 0800-1530, then drove to night school 1600-2300, five days a week. I was so tired and burnt out from school that I wanted a job that didn't require too much brain power. If you want to instruct and still go to school maybe you could look at Daniel Webster college or something similar.

I'm sure you know there's more than one way to skin a cat in this industry, to achieve your goals. My advice, arm your self with multiple tools in this unstable industry, have a back-up plan, and most of all, do what's going to make you happy, and enjoy the ride.

 

I know two CHP officers who own an airplane and decided to get their A&Ps so they could work on it. As cops, they had some schedule flexibility to take classes while working full time. They did the training at a local community college IIRC.

However...they said it ended up being far more work than they had anticipated, and they wouldn't do it again just for recreational purposes. Keep in mind they have families too.

I've thought of getting one someday...I work on old cars a lot, so maybe I could get paid to work on airplanes instead (I live near a busy GA field). I'd like to build an airplane someday too. Of course none of this is going to happen until I'm done with the navy...

 

I did it for somthing to fall back on... REMEMBER... pay scale ain't really that great for a A&P mechanic either. Mesa starts you around $14 somthing I believe and Horizon is paying around $15.50 if you get your a&p work at a company like Northrop, Raytheon, Landmark avaition etc... don't work line they pay crap! I think Fed-Ex has one of the highest starting pays.

You can get your A&P and try somthing like Embry-Riddle Worldwide. That's what I'm doing. They are crediting me like 30 Units+ for my bachelors degree in Aviation Maintenance Management.

-Peter