The need for A&P?

jspeed87

jspeed87

Well-Known Member
Hi, I'm a Commercial Pilot, and even though I want to Fly for a living, I always had Aircraft Maintenance on my mind. I always feel like I don't know the airplane "enough". I even read Aircraft Systems book to try to learn as much as I can, yet I still get this feeling that I need to learn how to fix em too. I just love aviation, but I honestly have little mechanical background. I don't even fix my own car, but if it's too learn more about aviation, I'm willing to get down and dirty. Eventually when the time and money comes, is it worth pursing the A&P? I don't plan on actually working as one, but I at least get to be a more well rounded pilot and get rid of this annoying urge.
 
jspeed87 said:
I don't plan on actually working as one, but I at least get to be a more well rounded pilot and get rid of this annoying urge.
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As a mechanic, flight engineer, and now testing new aircraft, I can tell you that it won't help you out as a pilot in any aircraft built anytime in the last 20-30 years. As the planes have matured, the pilots requirement for system knowledge continues to be breed out of the aircraft design.

If you want to learn systems, have at it... Go down to your local GA field and make nice with some local A&P's that you can hangar talk with. But don't spend any more money learning another piece of the bottomless pit of aviation certifications.
 
Like others have said, the A&P really isn't a vanity rating, if you aren't going to use it for its intended purpose I wouldn't waste the time, effort and money.

I would bet you know the airplane better than you think you do though, there really isn't anything magical about them. Find a good A&P that doesn't mind you asking questions, and maybe a copy of the maintenance manual and dive in, its not some magical tome only to be opened by one of the annointed.
 
First of all, the time and money will never come...not at the same time anyhow. It's usually one or the other, or neither, but rarely both. That's been my experience, YMMV.
If you don't plan on making a career as a mechanic/technician, but want a maintenance background for a greater appreciation and understanding, consider building your own airplane.
You'll gain plenty of experience and knowledge, and be able to put it to use.
It will also make aircraft ownership more reasonable since you will be able to do your own maintenance.
Or, you could just find an EAA Chapter near you and get involved to get started.
 
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1900 hrs of split class/lab time to qualify is a fairly large commitment, it took me 2 years of full time school at a community college. If you can spare that kind of time, for what in your case sounds like a hobby, than you're a lucky person. And with the changes coming for the O/P I think the FAA is trying to weed out people who aren't trying to do this as a career. Also if you do get your A/P there is no way to hide it as it's listed on the FAAs website databases just like any other ratings.
 
Are there any basic classes that teach Pilots routine maintenance that can be done by yourself?
 
jspeed87 said:
Are there any basic classes that teach Pilots routine maintenance that can be done by yourself?
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You're free to sign up for the A&P focused courses at your local community college. They are a lot of fun and you will learn a lot about mechanical things in general.
 
Thanks for the replies. I think I will stick to flying and becoming a better Pilot. Maybe get a Glider or Seaplane? The thing that throws me off about pursuing the A&P is the Time and Money for something I don't plan to make a career out of. There is a school here in Teterboro, NJ, but from what I heard from students it cost around 25k and there are no night or weekend classes. I do still need to get a degree. If I could find an associates degree or Community College program with A&P at a decent price, I would try a few classes out.
 
jspeed87 said:
Thanks for the replies. I think I will stick to flying and becoming a better Pilot. Maybe get a Glider or Seaplane? The thing that throws me off about pursuing the A&P is the Time and Money for something I don't plan to make a career out of. There is a school here in Teterboro, NJ, but from what I heard from students it cost around 25k and there are no night or weekend classes. I do still need to get a degree. If I could find an associates degree or Community College program with A&P at a decent price, I would try a few classes out.
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A&P - check

Seaplane - check

Glider - if it was available near me, I'd have it and be a CFI-G. A total blast.

The A&P was the most difficult rating I've earned so far and I'm a total gear head. It is a rewarding rating to have and is always an option as a plan b or c. It has helped me with flying opportunities and got me out of an AOG pinch a few times too. Like others said, be careful how you play it being a professional pilot, before you know it you'll be doing two jobs for the price of one.

Go for it. If nothing else in fifty years you can get a Wright Brothers and a Chuck Taylor award.
 
jspeed87 said:
Hi, I'm a Commercial Pilot, and even though I want to Fly for a living, I always had Aircraft Maintenance on my mind. I always feel like I don't know the airplane "enough". I even read Aircraft Systems book to try to learn as much as I can, yet I still get this feeling that I need to learn how to fix em too. I just love aviation, but I honestly have little mechanical background. I don't even fix my own car, but if it's too learn more about aviation, I'm willing to get down and dirty. Eventually when the time and money comes, is it worth pursing the A&P? I don't plan on actually working as one, but I at least get to be a more well rounded pilot and get rid of this annoying urge.
Click to expand...

If you have the time and can find a community college program, then do it. If you said "i don't really care about being a mechanic but i want to further my flying career" I'd say no. But it sounds like you have a legitimate passion(or at least curiosity), and that's the fuel that will drive you. I was like you at one point- no real mechanical experience but just loved aircraft and had to know everything about them. I went to A&P school and loved every minute of it. I paid my dues fixing beat up training aircraft, in the middle of the night so some kid could take a checkride the next day.

I'm commercially rated and an A&P, but don't work as either currently but I'm still in aviation on the business side. I have a bachelors degree and various other certifications, but the A&P has done the most for me professionally, and I enjoyed working as one.

Go for it! But only if you have time, and can do it at a community college. I would not do it at for-profit college, ever.
 
geosync said:
If you have the time and can find a community college program, then do it. If you said "i don't really care about being a mechanic but i want to further my flying career" I'd say no. But it sounds like you have a legitimate passion(or at least curiosity), and that's the fuel that will drive you. I was like you at one point- no real mechanical experience but just loved aircraft and had to know everything about them. I went to A&P school and loved every minute of it. I paid my dues fixing beat up training aircraft, in the middle of the night so some kid could take a checkride the next day.

I'm commercially rated and an A&P, but don't work as either currently but I'm still in aviation on the business side. I have a bachelors degree and various other certifications, but the A&P has done the most for me professionally, and I enjoyed working as one.

Go for it! But only if you have time, and can do it at a community college. I would not do it at for-profit college, ever.
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Thanks for the inspiration. Do you know of any reputable Community Colleges in Tri-State Area ie:NJ, NY, or PA?
 
jspeed87 said:
Hi, I'm a Commercial Pilot, and even though I want to Fly for a living, I always had Aircraft Maintenance on my mind. I always feel like I don't know the airplane "enough". I even read Aircraft Systems book to try to learn as much as I can, yet I still get this feeling that I need to learn how to fix em too. I just love aviation, but I honestly have little mechanical background. I don't even fix my own car, but if it's too learn more about aviation, I'm willing to get down and dirty. Eventually when the time and money comes, is it worth pursing the A&P? I don't plan on actually working as one, but I at least get to be a more well rounded pilot and get rid of this annoying urge.
Click to expand...

A friend of earned his A&P in college, even before he worked on his ratings. He never had any career aspirations to be a mechanic, although I think he did a bit of work here and there. What I do know is that he was hired as a pilot by United 4 years out of college. He thinks the A&P helped his resume get pulled from the pile. He knows it helped him get through training.
 
I went to A&P school after getting my private pilot but before all the rest of my ratings. I also did the mandatory 3 years on the job required to get my Inspection Authorization. Now that I am at an airline and looking back I don't have any regrets. While I could have gotten to the airlines quicker without spending the time in maintenance, I am glad I learned what I did and have a solid back up plan. Also, an A&P is a hot commodity at your local airport. It is good honest income outside of flying if you enjoy the work. I would recommend it to anyone who wanted to fly and wrench. Good luck!
 
jspeed87 said:
Hi, I'm a Commercial Pilot, and even though I want to Fly for a living, I always had Aircraft Maintenance on my mind. I always feel like I don't know the airplane "enough". I even read Aircraft Systems book to try to learn as much as I can, yet I still get this feeling that I need to learn how to fix em too. I just love aviation, but I honestly have little mechanical background. I don't even fix my own car, but if it's too learn more about aviation, I'm willing to get down and dirty. Eventually when the time and money comes, is it worth pursing the A&P? I don't plan on actually working as one, but I at least get to be a more well rounded pilot and get rid of this annoying urge.
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My question is why? I busted my butt and got as far as the FE before it became obsolete. But airlines operating 3 seaters were rapidly disappearin5g. Now I think only a couple of freight dogs are still flying 8's out of MIA and Kallitta still has a 3 set 747. But that's it. So I got myself a nice card for my wallet and jumpseats until 9/11 and CASS. Now I am disabled and have to wait until I'm 65 when I become eligible for non-rev. I'd GIVE you my A&P for your Commercial, however there isn't a Flight Surgeon on the planet that would give m e a Medical so that's moot for me as well. You wanna know systems? Get your FE. I think there still is a place in MIA (Pan Am's old Flight Academy) you can get one.
 
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