Aviation Discussion

[ATC_VOL]

I’m fascinated by airplanes. I’m considering getting into working on them. Anyone here a airplane mechanic and can talk to me about it?

I work with a guy that used to. I know he went to a school in Memphis for it. Could get more info if you wanted.

 

[ATC_VOL]

How long have you been at the Memphis airport?

Got a buddy whose dad retired from there as a ATC.
Very high stress job. Hats off to you brother.

I work at the Memphis en-route center and not the airport. Would be happy to explain that if you don’t know what I’m talking about.

Been in Memphis since spring of 2012. Thanks for the kind words, it’s a fun job most of the time.

 

[Berry4Heisman14]

Retired A&P, 40 years. There used to be a school in Somerset, Ky.

I’m really wanting to go to school for it. However I know a lot of schools are practically scams. Are airlines hiring people with A&P degrees or engineering degrees primarily?

 

[Berry4Heisman14]

I work with a guy that used to. I know he went to a school in Memphis for it. Could get more info if you wanted.

That’d be great. Really just wondering how he liked it, how’s the pay, and quality of life? I’ve heard there’s a lot of contract work and traveling.

 

[BearCat204]

I’m really wanting to go to school for it. However I know a lot of schools are practically scams. Are airlines hiring people with A&P degrees or engineering degrees primarily?

How old are you?

 

[ATC_VOL]

That’d be great. Really just wondering how he liked it, how’s the pay, and quality of life? I’ve heard there’s a lot of contract work and traveling.

I’ll do some asking next time I see him. I know he’s mentioned traveling a good bit before.

 

[Berry4Heisman14]

How old are you?

25

 

[BearCat204]

25

I would suggest the USAF. I earned my A&P license while I was active duty (don't use it at all now as I chose another career path) and I think it was the best route. You either have to have 30 months of civilian or military work of related experience or if you want to pursue the class route, you need to find a school that is specifically a FAA FMT certified school. The FAA website has a lot of good information of what you need.

FAA list of certified schools
Federal Aviation Administration - Maintenance Schools

 

[Tri-CitiesVol]

Bell Flight (formerly Bell Helicopter) has a huge facility in Piney Flats. There’s an avionics company at Tri-Cities airport. I think those guys make good money.

You could go Army or Air Guard as a repairman or avionics tech and catch on full time at a place like that and do pretty well for yourself.

Knoxville has a new Cirrus facility.

And then there’s any number of corporate outfits that would need an A&P.

 

[rs16]

I went to Embry-Riddle in Daytona Beach, that place is prohibitively expensive now.

 

[rs16]

I’m really wanting to go to school for it. However I know a lot of schools are practically scams. Are airlines hiring people with A&P degrees or engineering degrees primarily?

I got my licenses and worked my way up from single engine fixed wing at a tiny airport to the airlines in about 5 years. Several locations and companies, but always upgrading. When I finally got to a major airline with good pay and benefits they had me working with a younger guy just out of A & P school. Life isn't fair.

 

[BearCat204]

I went to Embry-Riddle in Daytona Beach, that place is prohibitively expensive now.

You can thank the military and tuition assistance for that

 

[rs16]

You can thank the military and tuition assistance for that

I actually went under the GI Bill and had money left over to pay my rent. Of course there were only 2 modern buildings there at the time.

 

[BearCat204]

I actually went under the GI Bill and had money left over to pay my rent. Of course there were only 2 modern buildings there at the time.

I meant to thank them for the crazy increase in tuition there now.

 

[CagleMtnVol]

A Hawk and A B2

 

[CagleMtnVol]

A B-52H Nicknamed "Wise Guy" Becomes The Second To Ever Come Back From The Bone Yard

 

[rs16]

A B-52H Nicknamed "Wise Guy" Becomes The Second To Ever Come Back From The Bone Yard

Mechanics are amazing people.

 

[CagleMtnVol]

Keeping up diplomatic relations?

 

[tntar heel]

Keeping up diplomatic relations?

And to think they replaced the little green silhouette targets with the red star and the AK on rifle ranges.

 

[Matt2496]

I found this fascinating.

 

[3rdDegreeVol]

Kelly’s Heroes: Lockheed’s five finest airplanes

 

[Tri-CitiesVol]

@ATC_VOL

Memphis is now a passover due to backlog we’re hearing. Oof.

 

[ATC_VOL]

@ATC_VOL

Memphis is now a passover due to backlog we’re hearing. Oof.

Doesn’t surprise me. They’re finally streamlining the stage classes some but there’s over 100 trainees in the building so definitely a bit of a wait for folks right now. Who knows what happens in a couple of months though.

 

[Tri-CitiesVol]

Doesn’t surprise me. They’re finally streamlining the stage classes some but there’s over 100 trainees in the building so definitely a bit of a wait for folks right now. Who knows what happens in a couple of months though.

Keep me updated. Is it a mandatory three month wait?

 

[ATC_VOL]

Keep me updated. Is it a mandatory three month wait?

It’s longer than that. It takes folks a month or so to draw all their maps then they send them to the floor as A-sides. They’ve been hanging out for maybe 5 or 6 months before going back to the training department and working as remote pilots for other people’s classes for 2 or 3 months before getting into class themselves.