SongMan

Hi Guys!

How much of an edge does A&P license give you when applying for corporate? I'm guessing it's all company to company but I would appreciate bit more info as to what and how much of influence an A&P would have in corporate flying.

thanks!

FlyerJosh

Personally, I would never want to be an A&P on an aircraft that I am paid to fly. At some point, your job is going to switch from pilot to mechanic, and you may or may not be best suited to turn a particular wrench...

What do you do when after signing off minor mx, the boss comes to you and says- why can't you do that engine overhaul? I pay you more because you're an A&P...

Personally, I think that if they have enough to buy a plane and hire a corporate pilot, they have enough to hire or contract a full time mx person, but that's just my two cents...

GauleyPilot

I know of a few flight departments that have pilot/A&Ps. It is a great gig for some of them, and the reason they were hired in the first place.

They do light maintenance and take the aircraft other places for heavy items. The benefit to the company is that they have a person who can "speak the language" on mx issues. Whether it be tracking inspection items, or dealing with a shop.

If I were hiring for a corporate flt. dept, I would be very interested in having an A&P. Even if he never turned a wrench, just to deal with management of a maintenance program.

afterburn81

That's the good thing about just having an A&P. You need an I/A (inspection authorization) in order to complete that task. Of course you can help, but then again any Joe Schmoe can help. Unless it is very light equipment that you are working on, there really isn't too much that an A&P can sign off.

I did the repair station thing for GDAS for a few years and worked on a few privately owned jets myself and I too was pretty limited as to what I could legally sign off under my own A&P.

Just don't get the I/A or make no mention that you have it and all you are good for is your knowledge of the systems and maintenance operation which can be pretty valuable to an operator if you ask me.

firedup

I have an A&P and it came in handy as I was building my time with single pilot piston. I was able to work on down days doing light maintenance. As you get into jet a/c it really dosent help anymore because the mechanic needs to go to school on the type of jet you are flying, and with all the paperwork, it gets to be pretty time consuming. Right now all I can do is change a landing light ! pretty good for 2 years of school huh? You would never have any time off if you had to keep up on the maintenance and flight side of things.

Geronimo4497

I personally don't tell folks that I have it during interviews. If they want me to be a mechanic, they can pay me to be one. I don't do both while at work. Now running a side business doing restorations, that is another story.

paidtowait

Well I don't post here much any more but I could not let this slide by uncorrected.

The privileges of an A&P with an inspection authorization are limited to approval for return to service after Major Repairs and Alterations (FAA Form 337) and annual inspections required on aircraft less than 12500lbs MGTOW
And there are some geared reciprocating engines that require an IA (i.e. Form 337 major repair)

The approval for return to service privileges granted to a certificated A&P are far reaching.
Essentially without quoting the rule, an A&P technician can approve an aircraft for return to service after performing maintenance provided he/she has the appropriate training or experience with regard to the work performed.
So if you have been to maintenance school on Learjets guess what… or if you have been supervised on a similar task on a similar aircraft (Change Starter Generator on a turbine engine), guess what … the rule says you are qualified.

Now to speak to the original question, most of the previous posters have said that, yes it helps, however I would say be careful how you present yourself in an interview for a job.

In my present position my maintenance input is advisory only and I made it very clear at the interview. I have been on both sides of the fence for over 25 years and yes, today I command a six figure income on a mid sized jet, in a 2 man flight dept. because I have the ability to save the CO. time and money when it really counts.

afterburn81

I stand corrected as a lesser experienced technician. I suppose with the appropriate training they could utilize and A&P for quite a bit when you think about it. I kind of forgot about all the little (minor) things. Most of the time those little tasks (to me) were pretty much cake. I got into a lot of major tasks that really made you appreciate the stuff that an A&P is normally going to accomplish and approve for return to service.

It's just all in the way you look at it. If I was compensated to my worth I wouldn't mind whipping a few wrenches around in my spare time. I guess the problem lies where management once again loves to take advantage of one's skill. Thanks for the heads up.

paidtowait

afterburner,

Even after all these years I'm still learning as well. This is one of the great things about aviation, always something to learn. Thank you for your contribution to the discussion.


later,

FlyHappy

IMHO I think a lot of operators who want pilots with A&P are just looking for ways to save $$ -- kinda like places that insist on flying Citations single pilot. Instead of hiring pilots AND mechanics, they think they can just hire you to fly and maintain the airplane. I'm sure they're not going to pay you the FULL salary of a pilot for that type of aircraft, PLUS the full salary for a mechanic for that type of aircraft. Just my thoughts....