Warbird Information Exchange

Ok I am SO thinking about going back to school and getting my A&P License, I was wondering is there places that specialise in Warbird Restoration and is there money to be made??

Nathan: It's probably not going to make you a real good salary until you have a number of years experience and would rate as a journeyman sheet metal mechanic. I've got over twenty years experience and consider myself an ok sheet metal guy, but nothing like the really big name guys in the field. Figure that you are going to spend two years in school going full time to get your ticket. Then plan on dropping at least ten grand on tools and test gear and tool storage before you are going to be equiped to handle most maintenance and some fabrication work.
You are also going to be up against the problem that you probably don't have much experience turning wrenches on warbirds yet, so, few shops would be willing to give you a chance to start the big part of your learning with them.
Another thing to consider is that you are going to be headed into the job market as many of the airlines are letting more and more experienced people go as are the manfacturers.

Still, it's worth getting your tickets. You might luck out and strumble into a fantastic situation that would work well for you.

As an aside on salary...figure somewhere around 8-10$ an hour to start and a slow progression upwards from there to about 26$ an hour with a major company. Gain airliner experience and you could see 30+$ hour in the contract arena.

A fresh out of school auto tech with an ASE certification is going to start about 15$ an hour or more depending on where he is working.

Tom Reilly had a week long class on warbirds but now that he's moved I don't know if he still has it.
I would say most A&P's work on warbirds for the love,free T-shirts and maybe a ride or two.
I say go get your A&P just don't plan on getting rich,good luck.

I don't think he is offering anymore. I remember reading somewhere that he was holding his last class sometime last year before the move. If I remember correctly it was on his website.

_________________
"Keep 'em Flying!"

An A&P ticket is great, to work on your own a/c. If you love warbirds and love being poor, definitely DO IT!

You will never get rich working for an Airline, FBO or on someone else's a/c.

I got my A&P in 1982, worked for a Major Carrier for 18yrs and my pay was constantly going backwards all the time. How many Cariers are in bankruptcy now?

If you want a "mechanics" job that pays well, try the International Union of Elevator Constructors (I.U.E.C.). You'll make more than any A&P.

Find a great paying job first (what ever you choose), then use your A&P as your hobby. It'll be more fun that way.

Good Luck,
Mike

I visited Mike VadeBonCoeur's workshop the other day and saw what an A&P / warbird enthusiast can accomplish in less than two decades with a healthy dose of ambition, and an unwavering will to manifest perfection in their product. If I recall correctly, he began by himself years ago with a single BT-13 project, exhibited impeccable talent in its restoration, and now has a slew of employees ressurrecting no less than three P-51's and two L-birds in his expanded shop/FBO.

In my opinion, what makes the "Greats" great is the reputation and respect and they demand by consistantly delivering a precise and immaculate product. There are a lot of guys out there restoring old war planes, but you remember names like John Lane, Nelson Ezell, Mike VadeBonCoeur etc because they excel not only in turning out extraordinary planes, but in their ability to intuitively manage and grow a small company into a successful venture - one project at a time. If your personal vision results in the exquisit restoration of just one plane, and you have the singular focus, passion and ability to duplicate those results at will, you can make a name for yourself, and IMO that's the neccessary linchpin for transforming an otherwise average fabricator into a force to be reconed with amongst the industry.

_________________
Rob Mears
'Surviving Corsairs' Historian
robcmears@yahoo.com
http://www.robmears.com

Go to www.americanaeroservices.com

They are looking for people... sometimes you can get training and time in and take the A&P based on that experience. Not sure what you have in the way of experience, but is worth a try. Never hurts to inquire!

Another place is Fighter Factory: http://www.fighterfactory.net/aviation- ... oyment.php

Fighter Factory is supported by Tidewater Tech, which is an A&P technician school. That might be another place to look if all else fails.

Best of luck to you!

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Ryan Keough
Stow, MA