Warbird Information Exchange

Hey folks, I know that there are quite a few A&P's here and I am looking for some advice.

I was going to school to get my A&P a while back, but had to leave. Now I am sort of stuck I think. I am still wanting to get the license but don't know how to go about it. I can't afford to go back to school now, and I don't really know where to start as far as finding shops where I could work without it.

Any advice would be great.

Thanks in advance,

David Bray

David,
I got mine thru the school of hard knocks. I volunteered with the CAF then with Carl Schmieder. When I had enough hours, I went to the FAA and filled out the forms and got the ok to take my writtens.

Since then I have added a IA, and a private pilot cert.

Read the FARs, it spells out what the requirements are.

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Matt Gunsch, A&P, IA, Warbird maint and restorations
Jack, You have Debauched my sloth !!!!!!
We tried voting with the Ballot box, When do we start voting from the Ammo box, and am I allowed only one vote ?
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Unless it's changed, the requirement is 22 months of school, or 30 months of on the job training before being allowed to take the FAA exams. I also got my license through the on the job training, starting out my career by working at a prop shop and washing airplanes. I then "moved up" to panel puller, bearing packer, and spark plug cleaner at a scumbag flight school.

Unfortunately, there's nothing very glamorous about starting out as an airplane mechanic. The old saying used to be "small airplanes, small money...big airplanes, big money," but with the state of the airlines these days, I'm not sure that even applies anymore. I know quite a few folks who went to school and got jobs right away in the airline industry, and are doing quite well. However, the majority of folks who try this line of work end up not being able to hang in there due to financial constraints, lack of life, etc. The only reason I was able to get as far along as I have (and I'm still broke), is because I've never had a family to support......well, and I'm a little hard-headed.

Getting involved with Warbirds (if that's what your goals are) takes lots of commitment and a fair amount of luck as well. You've got to find a group of folks with the ol' airplanes that not only appreciates your efforts, but are also willing to trust you with their equipment. Naturally, this takes time, but if you can find someone who knows your heart is in it, then you need to feed off of them and learn everything you possibly can. I had a great group of folks in Memphis, TN that allowed me to do just that, not to mention the unbelievable experiences I had while working for Nelson Ezell, in Breckenridge, TX.

I hope some of this helps you with your goals.

Gary

Gary sez: "There's nothing very glamorus about starting out as an aircraft mechanic"
I think that should be amended to read: "There's nothing glamorus about being an airplane mechanic. Period."
Decent paying jobs are almost non existent. The best paying jobs are overseas or require long periods on the road.
Get a copy of the AOPA airport directory and start calling FBO's and shops to get a starting gig. If you want to get involved with warbirds, many aircraft owners have the attitude that they are doing you a favor by letting you be around them.
Scumbag flight schools suck but I have to admit I learned alot working at one, also my first A&P job. There's no better way to learn than a quiet day with just you, a broke plane and a maintenance manual.
Do yourself a favor and protect yourself with respirator, nitrile gloves etc. whenever needed. Most mechanics die of cancer cause of all the crap they absorb/ inhale / are dipped in.
But good luck anyway!!

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All I did was press this red button here...

Thanks guys for taking the time to respond and for all the advice. I'm trying to take it all into advisement.

David,
I don't know how old you are or what your life plans might be but...
the military is a great way to get some mechanic time under your belt and set you up for an A&P license. I got mine fairly in Tucson/Phoenix a few years back. Oh, by the way, we have PLENTY of "Warbirds" to work on...

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"Everyone wants to live here (New Jersey), evidenced by the fact that it has the highest population per capita in the U.S..."

The one thing that all these posts dosn't say is that when you are up to your elbows in a busted 737 toilet at one in the morning it STILL beats the hell out of nine-till-five in an office!!!

Rgds Cking

Oh I'd agree with APG85. Go serve Uncle Sam. When your mates are are moaning about their crap jobs you will be serving your country, getting trained, seeing the world AT THEIR EXPENSE!!!

David,

I just returned from Baker's school of aeronautics and got my A & P. The way I did it, was working in the trade. I found a IA that was willing to take me under his wing. He let me work with him on planes around the airport and he also made it possible for me to work part time at a flight school shop. After working that way for some time I started restoring aircraft for people and he would check my work and sign it off. When he felt I was ready he wrote a letter for the FAA to prove my time and the FAA signed my 8610-2 so I could take the tests. Then I paid for the Baker school to get me through the tests. It took me years to get it done. But I made a living during the time doing the work. And have had a great time doing it.

Good luck and don't give up.

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Don't let the scrappers win !!!!!!!

Eric Miller
Project Warbird Salvage/Museum
http://www.projectwarbird.com