A&P: Worthwhile for Engineers?

B

bok269

New Member
I've decided that the pilot lifestyle is not well suited for me. Instead, I plan on studying Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering in college and hopefully get a job in the aerospace industry once I graduate. I'm currently 16 and a junior in high school. While I don't plan on making it a full-time career, I am currently working on my PPL and plan on flying on the GA side for years to come. In addition, I am wondering if it would be worth it to get my A&P. Would it be helpful to someone who is designing airplanes for a living? Are there any colleges that offer an A&P course (other than the ERAU, Purdue, etc.)? Could I study for an A&P part time while attending school full time?

I appreciate the help.
 
As an A&P, a PPL, and an Aerospace Engineer. I would recommend getting the A&P. But that is just me. I started out as a mechanic and Just finished my engineering degree and my PPL. I used my A&P to get me thru school, it definately helped in a few classes like Jets and Rockets, Systems design, structures, and materials to name a few. However, I can not really say how much Weight an Employer puts on it, becasue after all that, I am applying to be a Controller for the FAA. :bandit: But I do know from the experiences that me and some of the guys I went to school with got, the experience of using your A&P, not just getting it, help make decisions about certain aspects of the designs. It really opens up your eyes of what you actually designing as opposed to what you are putting down in CATIA, or some other design system. I can't tell you how many times, I got a repair order or tried to fix something and looked at the plans, and looked at the actual physical component, and either thought out loud or yelled: "How the #$%^ do they expect me to accomplish this" or "Who the %^%$ designed this stupid thing!" Everything looks/behaves different in therory then it does in real life, and that is the biggest realization that I learned from being a mechanic and an engineer.

As for schools... look in to local universities, or state schools. I know Utah State has an Outstanding engineering and a good A&P Program. So does Univeristy of North Dakota. But just look around.
 
I forgot to mention the A&P by experience method. It is definately an option. but you need at least 24 months experience before you can get your authorizations to test. If you have the time to do it, then I personally think that would be a good option for you. the down side is, in a school setting, you learn about a lot more stuff, particularly theroretical stuff. Whereas an apprenticeship, you typically only learn one type of aircraft, either piston, or Turbine, and you get short changed on the theoretical portion and only learn the practical side. So, my suggestion is, if you are able, take the classes for the A&P, and get an apprenticeship outside of the school.
 
:yeahthat:

I'm a Mechanical Engineer in the Aeronautical industry and currently working on my PPL. I think the A&P license wouldn't hurt, but I don't think you would need it to land a nice job in the aerospace world. Employers do care about credentials, but as an engineer, the experience will go much farther than any licenses or degrees. Definately get familiar with engineering design software and how to use it effectively, ie. Pro-E, Catia, Solidworks, AutoCAD, CFD, UGS NX, etc. I've also seen engineers design something perfectly on a computer that won't work in the real world, so being mindful of what's happening in theory and what's capable on the floor is definitely a must. If you have the time and money to get an A&P license and it's something that you feel will make you a better engineer than by all means do so. It never hurts to have a greater understanding of what you're working on even if it doesn't pertain to what you actually do. I work with a lot of engineers that know nothing about airplanes outside of their job description and I definetly think knowing a little bit about everything goes a long way. Good luck.
 
Johnsc81 said:
I forgot to mention the A&P by experience method. It is definately an option. but you need at least 24 months experience before you can get your authorizations to test. If you have the time to do it, then I personally think that would be a good option for you. the down side is, in a school setting, you learn about a lot more stuff, particularly theroretical stuff. Whereas an apprenticeship, you typically only learn one type of aircraft, either piston, or Turbine, and you get short changed on the theoretical portion and only learn the practical side. So, my suggestion is, if you are able, take the classes for the A&P, and get an apprenticeship outside of the school.
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You can get an apprenticeship between your Junior or senior year of college depending on their qualifications(you have to have a certain number of credit hours or years at the school to qualify, each one is different). Going through the schooling is a lot better because you learn a lot more than the experience. It goes into more detail too with each system.
 
Look around for a Community College that has an A&P program and a good engineering prep program. It might take you three years to get your A&P and knock out two years of the classes required for your engineering degree. But it will cost significantly less money than the two years of classes at the University you will not have to take and only add one year to your education.
In my experience most universities do a lousy job of fresman level instruction. Community colleges tend to have far better instructors, who often have years of teaching experience rather than the new graduate student who will be your instructor at the University.
Taking a term or two of classes in an A&P program, even if you decide it is not for you, can't hurt.
 
First of all, I think you're in for a better lifestyle, overall, for choosing engineering as a career, instead of flying.

In general, I agree with what has been said. I would say that it most likely isn't worth getting your A&P solely to put on your resume. That said, though, it *will* obviously make your resume stand out, all other things being equal. If you have some interest in that side of things, getting your A&P will make you a better engineer (re: what was said about designing something that just doesn't work), and you will benefit from having some background information for some of your engineering classes that your classmates won't have (even though the A&P training doesn't have much in the way of theory, compared to engineering).

In my case, having an A&P also helped me to get an engineering internship before I would have been competitive based on my university classwork alone. More internships helped during the interview process at graduation time.

If you're interested in getting your A&P, I, too, would recommend trying to do it at a community college starting as soon as possible--even during high school if you're able. As someone noted, it will take probably take 18-24 months to finish your A&P, so your college classwork might have to flex around that for a semester or so--not a bad thing. :)

Best wishes on your decision! PM me if I can be of further help.

Edit: Regarding your question about part time study while attending college? Maybe. A&P classes are not flexible, (FAA requirements regarding attendance, etc.) but there are some that are structured part time/evening. My classes were Mon-Thur evenings 5:30-10:30, which worked out great with my job, so it could be done.
 
High_Alpha said:
First of all, I think you're in for a better lifestyle, overall, for choosing engineering as a career, instead of flying.

In general, I agree with what has been said. I would say that it most likely isn't worth getting your A&P solely to put on your resume. That said, though, it *will* obviously make your resume stand out, all other things being equal. If you have some interest in that side of things, getting your A&P will make you a better engineer (re: what was said about designing something that just doesn't work), and you will benefit from having some background information for some of your engineering classes that your classmates won't have (even though the A&P training doesn't have much in the way of theory, compared to engineering).

In my case, having an A&P also helped me to get an engineering internship before I would have been competitive based on my university classwork alone. More internships helped during the interview process at graduation time.

If you're interested in getting your A&P, I, too, would recommend trying to do it at a community college starting as soon as possible--even during high school if you're able. As someone noted, it will take probably take 18-24 months to finish your A&P, so your college classwork might have to flex around that for a semester or so--not a bad thing. :)

Best wishes on your decision! PM me if I can be of further help.

Edit: Regarding your question about part time study while attending college? Maybe. A&P classes are not flexible, (FAA requirements regarding attendance, etc.) but there are some that are structured part time/evening. My classes were Mon-Thur evenings 5:30-10:30, which worked out great with my job, so it could be done.
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It is also nice to have a pilot's license too when you have time and money. Depending on where you are going to use your license with, it may work for you in some situations and may not in others. Like if you are working for a FBO on small aircraft than a regional carrier(test flying a plane after maintenance). Just get your A&P first and see where that can take you. Also have some people in the industry that you can talk to so they can help you out too. It is all about who you know too that can get you a job after you finish school.
 
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