is an IA advantageous for Part 91 flight departments?

esa17

esa17

Well-Known Member
Trust me, this doesn't belong in the A&P forum.

Currently I'm working for a part 91 flight department as a pilot and mechanic. We fly about 30% and wrench the rest, the company is fantastic and the owner is a straight up good ole boy who actually cares about his people. My only issue is there is no where to go, I'll always be a FO. Obviously I'd love to be in the left set but it's more than that. I'd like to be the manager of a fleet too.

I'm typed in a pair of jets and IA eligible looking forward to the future so my question is since I want to stay in the corporate world; Is having my IA something that will make me more attractive as a candidate or will most departments only care about my time in type?
 
esa17 said:
Trust me, this doesn't belong in the A&P forum.

Currently I'm working for a part 91 flight department as a pilot and mechanic. We fly about 30% and wrench the rest, the company is fantastic and the owner is a straight up good ole boy who actually cares about his people. My only issue is there is no where to go, I'll always be a FO. Obviously I'd love to be in the left set but it's more than that. I'd like to be the manager of a fleet too.

I'm typed in a pair of jets and IA eligible looking forward to the future so my question is since I want to stay in the corporate world; Is having my IA something that will make me more attractive as a candidate or will most departments only care about my time in type?
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My advice if you care at all about flying is to burn up the A&P certificate.
 
That's right in line with what I've been thinking about these days.

I've even been thinking about letting my CFI expire.
 
My advice, for what its worth, get your IA, it does make you more marketable.
DO NOT EVER LET YOUR CFI EXPIRE!
You will regret it someday. Easier to renew than reinstate.
IMHO only.
 
Why in the world would you ever let your CFI expire? You can complete the gleam FIRC in the period of two overnights without working too hard. Lose your Part 91 job, which we all risk in this industry, and you still have a way to pay your mortgage without being officially employed. Don't let it expire man, it would be foolish.
 
The only reason I say that is because at both 91 outfits I've been the only CFI. Once people figure out I'm an instructor I get tasked with getting so-n-so an instrument rating, Johnny wants a private. The bosses want me to fly with these folks to keep up relations but it has to be after hours. It ends up that I'm never home and the extra cash just isn't worth it. I'd rather not have the added tasking honestly.
 
esa17 said:
The only reason I say that is because at both 91 outfits I've been the only CFI. Once people figure out I'm an instructor I get tasked with getting so-n-so an instrument rating, Johnny wants a private. The bosses want me to fly with these folks to keep up relations but it has to be after hours. It ends up that I'm never home and the extra cash just isn't worth it. I'd rather not have the added tasking honestly.
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It will be exactly the same with the IA. "Hey, the DOM is on vacation, can you just whip out an annual on the boss's personal 172 real quick? It's been pencil whipped the last 10 years and he does most of his own maintenance on it. Also you need to keep up with your normal duties while you're doing it and won't get paid any extra"
"Hey my buddy gear upped his Arrow and needs somebody to rebuild it, can you help him out in your off time?"
"Hey I got your phone number from a friend of mine, I'm trying to put super cub wings on my 172, can you sign the 337 for me?"

Etc, etc.
 
Roger Roger said:
It will be exactly the same with the IA. "Hey, the DOM is on vacation, can you just whip out an annual on the boss's personal 172 real quick? It's been pencil whipped the last 10 years and he does most of his own maintenance on it. Also you need to keep up with your normal duties while you're doing it and won't get paid any extra"
"Hey my buddy gear upped his Arrow and needs somebody to rebuild it, can you help him out in your off time?"
"Hey I got your phone number from a friend of mine, I'm trying to put super cub wings on my 172, can you sign the 337 for me?"

Etc, etc.
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I think the lesson here is to keep my trap shut.
 
Roger Roger said:
On the other hand, if you manage it correctly you would never run short of beer money. But if I took all the side IA jobs I've been offered I'd live at the airport.
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I took my current job for two reasons:
1: Get back into manned flying.
2: Spend more time with my family.

So far both are working out well but I can see the tipping point coming.
 
Even if you never flight instruct or exercise the privileges of the IA, the training and knowledge alone will make you a better pilot and mechanic.
 
pilotmec said:
Even if you never flight instruct or exercise the privileges of the IA, the training and knowledge alone will make you a better pilot and mechanic.
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Personally, I thought the IA knowledge was mostly stupid theoretical stuff that no 2 FSDOs agree on anyway.
 
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