flyingreasemnky

well working on a G-IV is not the most fun airplane to work on mainly because of the skydrol. gulfstreams are really prone to corrosion especially in the wheel wells (I've never seen another aircraft corrode as bad as I have seen some Gulfstreams), the flight controls are a pain to remove because of the cable back ups (especially on the tail when the horizontal stabilizer is still on), the fuel panels are a pain to remove as you will have a fun time removing all the fasteners and God help you if you strip them out on the inboard overwing wedge panels, also the flight control cable inspections are a pain in the butt. I do have to say that it is also a really big pain to remove the vertical and horizontal stabs when the bushings and straps corrode that holds the vertical to the fuselage. not sure what kind of car that would compare too.

mshunter

Sound like an LX platform(Magnum/Charger/300) with a hemi, or an HB platfrom (Durango/Aspen) also with a hemi. So tight that you'll use more than your fair share of four letter words. Although not on the huge size scale of a biz jet. I think the only difference may be the pay. From what I understand of aviation techs. you guys get paid hourly/salary right. When I was turning wrenches it was by the job. If a job paid 5 hours and you got it done in 3, you kept the money. If it paid 5 and you got it done in 10, you still got 5. So you can see there is a lot of pressure to get it done fast and right, otherwise you get to do it again FOR FREE. Mechanics are professionals, and when they screw up, they do it again for free. Doctors get to "practice" medecine, and charge accordingly. I wish I could "practice" being a mechanic.

Kilgore Trout

Howdy mshunter,

I did the same thing that it looks like you are trying to do, in Alaska.
Have attached a link to a thread that describes some of that, and has more links to info on the route to getting your A+P via OJT rather than military or civilian formalized schooling.
As far as auto mechanics becoming certified aircraft mechanics- go for it. Your background, while not "traditional" would make you a prize I would think for a company looking to hire a good wrench with a solid work ethic.
PM me if you need more info.
http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/pa...nterested.html

flyingreasemnky

from air cargo carriers, inc's website: Air Cargo Carriers, Inc
they are based out of WI. Might be worth a shot.

* Mechanics

o Air Cargo Carriers, Inc is seeking mechanics and sheet Metal Techs. Several locations nationwide. Prefer Shorts & PT6 experience. Will assist employees in obtaining A&P license. (Tool Allowance Available)

feriegel

I accomplished what you are considering; and you might look at another avenue.
I went through a certified school at a local technical college for eighteen months and the cost was about half of that quoted in an earlier thread. The requirement as far as the FAA is concerned is a minimum number of hours of training and some of the schools will work with you on a schedule that will enable you to modify attendance or classes to reach that goal. Check with some technical schools and see if they offer night classes, weekend classes, or other options that might fit into an acceptable schedule.

mshunter

I realy appricate this. now let me convince my wife. I'll PM you if I can get her to agree.

bertramcheeks22

Might wanna try the School of Missionary Aviation near Grand Rapids. They're at Lowell City Airport. (24C) A friend went up there and insturcted while working on his A&P.

BigjetLiljet

A buddy of mine worked in the maintenance shop of a local flight school part-time. Once he had the months of experience required he was able to get the authorization to test. Took his General, Airframe & Powerplant tests and set up an examination with the FSDO. Today he is working as a program manager for the Joint Strike Fighter.

jsfBoat

You might try AMI, they have a few campuses. I went into the one here in Philly, and the lady with whom I spoke with spoke to me as if I was stupid. I told her that I was working on my CFI, and she asked me if I: "ever heard of the FAA?" and "what a powerplant is?"
Some of them are during the day, M-F for 8 hours. I'm thinking about going to Teterboro School of Aeronautics, heard its better than AMI.