View Poll Results: Pilots with A&P
Yes I have both
52
60.47%
No I only have my pilot license
34
39.53%
Voters: 86. You may not vote on this poll
Pilots with A&P License?
02-09-2013, 07:24 PM
#11
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2012
Posts: 480
Originally Posted by Duksrule
Then if you add to the Pilot with A&P list and throw in SECRET security clearance of above and a willingness to be away from home for a few months at a time, I would think the pool is even more shallow. Then again they must be finding these guys somewhere.
It's absolutely not a shallow pool. I have a clean record, great recommendations, college, almost ATP mins, an A&P and an active high level security clearance. I am proven to be someone who who is capable of spending time on the road, I've deployed for 6 month durations before.
Seriously. Clean criminal record, no checkride or oral fails. I don't even get thanks but no thanks responses.
I've attracted zero interest from any turbine jobs, let alone ones like Dynamic.
My 100's of resumes that I've sent out as I build experience disappear into black holes, apparently. In a few short months, I'll be someone with an ATP who is not employed by and cannot recieve calls back from turbine jobs.
If there's something else going on here, by all means, maybe someone with experience can point it out.
02-09-2013, 08:20 PM
#12
Line Holder
Joined APC: Dec 2012
Position: Bonanza
Posts: 26
There's a reason for this.
I've got a few friends flying for these companies. In addition, in my current AD job I do the C2 for a specific AOR that relies on them. They are all bound by the same issues and they are all basically interwoven. The govt. assigns a rep to the contractors flying in support of DoD/DoS. While perhaps not wholly responsible for the rules and requirements they are the primary quality assurance evaluators to the contracts. In my case, the issue was that I lacked 300 hours of 'like aircraft' time (twin turboprop). I have a TS, A&P and ATP + 2k in A-10s, but not-eligible due to this stipulation. This was with a close friend's direct rec to 'the' chief pilot. To that end, I read the chief pilot's response, and he sounded apologetic. My opinion...most of these positions are held by former Army FW guys and the 'like aircraft' deal is simply to protect a good thing.
In my case, still not sure what I want to do after retirement, but I would gladly do a few months in Dash 8s for a regional somewhere...even thought of Ameriflight...
I've got a few friends flying for these companies. In addition, in my current AD job I do the C2 for a specific AOR that relies on them. They are all bound by the same issues and they are all basically interwoven. The govt. assigns a rep to the contractors flying in support of DoD/DoS. While perhaps not wholly responsible for the rules and requirements they are the primary quality assurance evaluators to the contracts. In my case, the issue was that I lacked 300 hours of 'like aircraft' time (twin turboprop). I have a TS, A&P and ATP + 2k in A-10s, but not-eligible due to this stipulation. This was with a close friend's direct rec to 'the' chief pilot. To that end, I read the chief pilot's response, and he sounded apologetic. My opinion...most of these positions are held by former Army FW guys and the 'like aircraft' deal is simply to protect a good thing.
In my case, still not sure what I want to do after retirement, but I would gladly do a few months in Dash 8s for a regional somewhere...even thought of Ameriflight...
02-10-2013, 02:56 AM
#14
Disinterested Third Party
Joined APC: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,026
Then if you add to the Pilot with A&P list and throw in SECRET security clearance of above and a willingness to be away from home for a few months at a time, I would think the pool is even more shallow. Then again they must be finding these guys somewhere.
I went in for a position years ago that needed single and multi time, the security clearance, maintenance experience, current, solid instrument skills, mountain experience, and ag time, plus a few other things. Thus far, they've never had a problem finding enough candidates. The biggest washout rate came from instrument work under particular conditions.
I'm a long-time mechanic, as well as ATP pilot. I know a lot of others who are, too. We're not a rarity in the least.
Secret clearance usually implies military experience. Military pilots almost never have an A&P, they would be too old for mil flight training by the time they completed both an A&P and college. Could be done, but not if you actually worked as an A&P for long.
A mechanic certificate has nothing to do with college, of course, but there's no reason that a military pilot can't have completed his or her A&P as part of college.
Some of us were working as aircraft mechanics back in High School...it's not at all unreasonable to have five or six years of maintenance experience prior to completing college or flight training...and there are a number of folks, military and civilian, who have obtained their maintenance experience prior to gaining flight certification.
02-10-2013, 08:02 AM
#15
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2012
Posts: 480
Originally Posted by Postal123
There's a reason for this.
I've got a few friends flying for these companies. In addition, in my current AD job I do the C2 for a specific AOR that relies on them. They are all bound by the same issues and they are all basically interwoven. The govt. assigns a rep to the contractors flying in support of DoD/DoS. While perhaps not wholly responsible for the rules and requirements they are the primary quality assurance evaluators to the contracts. In my case, the issue was that I lacked 300 hours of 'like aircraft' time (twin turboprop). I have a TS, A&P and ATP + 2k in A-10s, but not-eligible due to this stipulation. This was with a close friend's direct rec to 'the' chief pilot. To that end, I read the chief pilot's response, and he sounded apologetic. My opinion...most of these positions are held by former Army FW guys and the 'like aircraft' deal is simply to protect a good thing.
In my case, still not sure what I want to do after retirement, but I would gladly do a few months in Dash 8s for a regional somewhere...even thought of Ameriflight...
I've got a few friends flying for these companies. In addition, in my current AD job I do the C2 for a specific AOR that relies on them. They are all bound by the same issues and they are all basically interwoven. The govt. assigns a rep to the contractors flying in support of DoD/DoS. While perhaps not wholly responsible for the rules and requirements they are the primary quality assurance evaluators to the contracts. In my case, the issue was that I lacked 300 hours of 'like aircraft' time (twin turboprop). I have a TS, A&P and ATP + 2k in A-10s, but not-eligible due to this stipulation. This was with a close friend's direct rec to 'the' chief pilot. To that end, I read the chief pilot's response, and he sounded apologetic. My opinion...most of these positions are held by former Army FW guys and the 'like aircraft' deal is simply to protect a good thing.
In my case, still not sure what I want to do after retirement, but I would gladly do a few months in Dash 8s for a regional somewhere...even thought of Ameriflight...
If postal 123 isn't getting in, I'm definitely not.
02-10-2013, 09:10 AM
#16
Line Holder
Joined APC: May 2009
Position: on the beach
Posts: 66
Holding both a pilot certificate and an A&P is beneficial in some areas of the industry, but it's not a guaranteed leg up for every pilot position. Most FBOs and charter ops will probably love having someone with both skills, but it won't do much for you in the Part 121 world. In fact, it can actually be a slight hindrance.
When I was hired by my first regional, one of my class members had earned his A&P as a way to get a leg up. When he mentioned he had his A&P, two of the company's trainers gave him a puzzled look and asked "Why?". Also, in my job research I've heard airline recruiters state that an A&P really doesn't do you any favors if your goal is to be a Part 121 pilot. One hiring director went so far as to state "Such applicants confuse me. Do they want to be a pilot or a mechanic?"
Having both credentials is perfectly fine, but just be careful as to how you advertise it if your end goal is to be a pilot. The A&P can definitely help you land some positions, but you might find yourself spending significantly less time in the cockpit and more time turning wrenches.
If you're both a pilot and an A&P, be sure to consider each position you're pursuing when deciding just what you include on your resume.
Looking for a pilot job? Check out my Facebook Page.
When I was hired by my first regional, one of my class members had earned his A&P as a way to get a leg up. When he mentioned he had his A&P, two of the company's trainers gave him a puzzled look and asked "Why?". Also, in my job research I've heard airline recruiters state that an A&P really doesn't do you any favors if your goal is to be a Part 121 pilot. One hiring director went so far as to state "Such applicants confuse me. Do they want to be a pilot or a mechanic?"
Having both credentials is perfectly fine, but just be careful as to how you advertise it if your end goal is to be a pilot. The A&P can definitely help you land some positions, but you might find yourself spending significantly less time in the cockpit and more time turning wrenches.
If you're both a pilot and an A&P, be sure to consider each position you're pursuing when deciding just what you include on your resume.
Looking for a pilot job? Check out my Facebook Page.
05-02-2013, 06:59 AM
#18
Waiting in the Wings
Joined APC: Apr 2013
Position: Whatever she wants
Posts: 115
Originally Posted by Postal123
There's a reason for this.
I've got a few friends flying for these companies. In addition, in my current AD job I do the C2 for a specific AOR that relies on them. They are all bound by the same issues and they are all basically interwoven. The govt. assigns a rep to the contractors flying in support of DoD/DoS. While perhaps not wholly responsible for the rules and requirements they are the primary quality assurance evaluators to the contracts. In my case, the issue was that I lacked 300 hours of 'like aircraft' time (twin turboprop). I have a TS, A&P and ATP + 2k in A-10s, but not-eligible due to this stipulation. This was with a close friend's direct rec to 'the' chief pilot. To that end, I read the chief pilot's response, and he sounded apologetic. My opinion...most of these positions are held by former Army FW guys and the 'like aircraft' deal is simply to protect a good thing.
...
I've got a few friends flying for these companies. In addition, in my current AD job I do the C2 for a specific AOR that relies on them. They are all bound by the same issues and they are all basically interwoven. The govt. assigns a rep to the contractors flying in support of DoD/DoS. While perhaps not wholly responsible for the rules and requirements they are the primary quality assurance evaluators to the contracts. In my case, the issue was that I lacked 300 hours of 'like aircraft' time (twin turboprop). I have a TS, A&P and ATP + 2k in A-10s, but not-eligible due to this stipulation. This was with a close friend's direct rec to 'the' chief pilot. To that end, I read the chief pilot's response, and he sounded apologetic. My opinion...most of these positions are held by former Army FW guys and the 'like aircraft' deal is simply to protect a good thing.
...
05-02-2013, 07:05 AM
#19
Waiting in the Wings
Joined APC: Apr 2013
Position: Whatever she wants
Posts: 115
Originally Posted by rickair7777
That's a very small group indeed.
Secret clearance usually implies military experience. Military pilots almost never have an A&P, they would be too old for mil flight training by the time....
Secret clearance usually implies military experience. Military pilots almost never have an A&P, they would be too old for mil flight training by the time....
But I only have less than an hour in a King Air!
05-15-2013, 06:40 AM
#20
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2005
Position: Still Swinging props!
Posts: 297
In the club
Originally Posted by Duksrule
Then if you add to the Pilot with A&P list and throw in SECRET security clearance of above and a willingness to be away from home for a few months at a time, I would think the pool is even more shallow. Then again they must be finding these guys somewhere.
There's more than a few of us out there. It hasn't seemed to help me make the next move!
At one operator I worked with, over half the pilots were A&P's, and half the mechs were pilots. It was part of the culture up north, and if you didn't know how to do some basic tasks, you were going to be a liability at some point. That being said, I think it took me over 10 years of flying before I made more as a pilot then I did as a mechanic. As a mechanic, I was home every night. Guess each of us has to find our own path. I had trouble walking into the same shop every day, year after year. I am much 'happier' flying.
BTW, if you should need an ATP/CFII/A&P/IA/Wilderness Medic with radial float time, drop me a line!
Good luck to all,
Ronin
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