Pilots who become AMTs (and vice-versa)

ahw01

ahw01

Well-Known Member
I'm interested in the maintenance side of flying, and don't know how often pilots get an AMT (different to A&P or is that just old terminology?)

When I was a student pilot, my CFI took me in a Seminole on a test flight after maintenance which was great, seeing engine cuts etc. The mechanic made a really good landing too - some of them are pretty hot at the controls I bet.

It'd be a good learning experience. The courses seem cheap and quick, but what FAA requirements are there? Is there a written, that could be worth studying for to improve general knowledge about the planes I fly, even if just a C-172.

Are there other courses outside A&P/IA etc - like a recognised pilot maintenance taster course (Part 43?)

I've heard about 'owner assisted annuals' for eg too. I guess some pilots really help and others are a hinderance...

Alex.
 
The courses aren't quick. They aren't academically demanding, but they do require a significant time commitment. There are a mandated amount of contact hours at an approved school to even be able to take the O&Ps (Oral and Practical tests--the equivalent of the checkride).

The mechanic written tests are like pilot writtens--there are much better things to study if you want useful knowledge.

I heartily applaud pilot curiosity about systems and the maintenance side of things, but IMO, getting the license isn't the most effective use of time if you're mostly looking for a better than average understanding of systems. There are some pretty systems books geared toward pilots, or even the A&P text books are certainly better than the written test guides.

PM me if you have any specific questions.
 
Thanks for the comments. I thought some were quick but forgot about the experience route and the college route - though it seems the college route can take a year full-time.

Taster courses would be great though.

Anyone know the FARs for a test flight? It'd be great to go on some form of initial course, just to get the basics.

Like an altitude chamber or the Wings program, does the FAA 'approve' of any such courses?

Alex.
 
The mechanic courses will probably take you between 2 and 3 years, I know people who have gone to, say, wyotech or someplace like that and done it in 18 months, however, that's full time days or nights and a lot of money. The good news is that the courses, for the most part, are a lot of fun and very hands on.

I got my mechanic certificate through the San Jose State University department of aviation part 147 school, along with a 4 year degree in Maintenance Management. I don't, and never did, want to be a mechanic full time forever, but right now I'm very glad that I did that route instead of the "flight operations" degree. I'm very thankful that my adviser at the time told me some basic facts about the aviation industry and suggested that I go the maintenance route, even if I was planning to fly.

There are three written exams and an oral/practical. The writtens are not hard if you've been paying attention in class, the oral/practical should take you most of a day or two to do depending on where you go and consists of oral questions and projects. I've heard some people tell horror stories of two weeks of 8 hour days but that's not common.

The only thing I can really tell you is that a mechanic certificate will, indeed, give you a better understanding of systems and "why things are the way they are," but getting the certificate is a lot like getting an instrument rating without going into any actual IFR. It's not a certificate you can pick up over the weekend, and to make any real use of it you really need to get out there and work, but as far as my career so far it's been one of the most rewarding experiences I've had, and it even manages to pay the bills.

Oh, and to do a test flight you need to be private or better and appropriately rated and endorsed of course. A good portion of my hours are thanks to maintenance flights, so that's great for a guy that doesn't have a whole lot of money to spend on flying... I do get tired of being the guinea pig sometimes ;)
 
Outside of a Part 147 school how long should it take to get an A&P? I fly Part 135 and sit for like 8 to 9 hours per day and am thinking about getting the A&P. But I know that I will not be here everyday and I have to have the flexibility to leave if my job requires it. How many hours would I have to log if I did it (Part 61-pilot side) Part 65???? I am pretty sure that reg is incorrect. Thanks
 
To make that a little more easy to wrap your head around, if you worked 4 hours a day 7 days a week it would take about three and a half years.

The Part 147 school is the easiest way, unless you come from a military background.
 
Bummer, I don't think I have that kind of time. I thought it was something less than that. Oh well, thanks for the info.
 
braunpilot said:
Bummer, I don't think I have that kind of time. I thought it was something less than that. Oh well, thanks for the info.
Click to expand...
I'm taking the route of being an A&P apprentice as well as a working CFI / company pilot.

I'm having a great time and I'm making good money doing it. Its nice to have a livable income and continue flying. So far, I'm about two years into this whole "mechanic" thing and I still feel like I'm drinking from the firehose.

The easy part of being a mechanic is replacing parts (unless its the vacuum pump on a Mooney), the difficult part is all the regulations and approved repair techniques. It's difficult and sometimes trying work but at the end of the day when I've helped balanced a pair of ailerons, fabbed a patch, and soloed a student I really enjoy it.

I'm not sure how valuable it will be done the line to have an A&P but I'm having fun in the pursuit.
 
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