Question about A&P training for my son.

[aelkins]

Greetings;
My son recently graduated high school.
He has expressed an interest in getting his A&P certificate.
My first thought was joining the military (A/F) however, he does not desire to mak that commitment. (several of his upper classmates joined only to find that the initial career path was 'altered' for numerous reasons)
I checked into a few FAA certified schools that range from 14 - 24 months to complete the required 2180 hours for A&P certification. These schools ranged from $25K - $40K. (the most logical one being about an hour from home here)
http://www.naiasc.com/maintenance.html
That school is $15K (plus $7K housing & 2K in tools).. 14 months completion schedule (8 hour day classes)

I also wanted to see if there was any local A&Ps that may consider an 'apprentice' program. Just as an option in the event the school(s) do not work out. I tried to search the FAA database to get a list of people holding current A&P certificates. I had no luck. The only thing I found was the database of 'Repair Stations'.
I am assuming that a person can hold a current A&P without having a full-time position at a repair station?..

My son's mindset is this.. he wants to earn his A&P certificate while he has no other life commitments to hinder it. (marriage, job, etc) After that, he can decide if he wants to venture into a life career in aviation or, follow a different career path and use the A&P certificate to perform Annuals, repairs, etc locally. (on an as-needed demand basis). My hunch is that their is not enough local aviation business to support him totally but, having the A&P (possibly I/A too) could open several opportunities to supplement his income.
(Actually, I'd love to have that option if I had 14 months of non-commitmental time)

Personally, I'll finance his educational costs... although, I can see my future RV purchase shrinking from a total glass award winning plane... to a more affordable 'rough' model.. But, we do what is neccessary for our children to follow their dreams, right?
Any pros or cons to the above that you guys wish to offer us?
Any advice is welcome..

[airguy]

Kudos to BOTH of you - him for being smart enough to realize that THIS is time in his life to do something like this, and you for supporting him in it, emotionally and financially. I only wish I had that option still open to me.

[brianwallis]

1. Ask around and find a reputable shop that does a variety of aircraft. 2.Have him work for free if need be for a little bit untill they can pay him. If he has a good head on his shoulders everyone will see that he wants to learn and will teach him how things are really done
3. After about 3 yrs he will be eligible for the test... Get the prep material and send him to Bakers in TN (they do the 2 week prep school and the written and send him to a local guy for the oral and practical.
4. Have him work on his private ticket as well at the same time... Your chances of being a great mechanic go way up when you can fly the airplane as well...
5. You can go to an A&P "School" but to do it right.... like the electrical workers... (sure you can read a book but you dont just go out and work on high voltage lines as a new guy...) be an apprentice... and work your way up... trust me... I see people going to the A&P 18 month schools... and they get ripped off big time... and they dont have a ton of real experience.

Call me with any questions anytime
Brian Wallis
A&P/IA
404-405-1315

[briand]

Originally Posted by brianwallis

5. You can go to an A&P "School" but to do it right.... like the electrical workers... (sure you can read a book but you dont just go out and work on high voltage lines as a new guy...) be an apprentice... and work your way up... trust me... I see people going to the A&P 18 month schools... and they get ripped off big time... and they dont have a ton of real experience.

Call me with any questions anytime
Brian Wallis
A&P/IA
404-405-1315

Your right if he wants to be an airplane mechanic. However, there are many more oppertunities for A&P's besides being a mechanic.
I see lots of postings by aircraft manufacturers (Boeing, Eclipse, Gulfstream....) requiring an A&P cert.. Some of these positions will require you to travel and perform field checks and repairs but most are for "paperwork" type postions that require knowledge of the FAR's.

It can also be a step to getting an engineering degree. Not sure but don't you get an AAS degree at these schools?


Let me just say; I wish I had any kind of A&P ticket right now. There is a fairly high demand and with high demand comes good pay.

[Jim Percy]

Here in So Cal there is at least one Community College that has an A & P program. Might check for one in your area, it would save you a lot of money.

http://www.mtsac.edu/instruction/tec...irmaintenance/

Jim

[JackT]

If your son wants a job working on aircraft then a tech school is possibly the right path. There are various technical colleges and community colleges that have an A&P program for far less than the "Pay Schools".

http://www.tccd.edu/neutral/division...ekey=36&menu=2

http://www.waco.tstc.edu/aer/index.php

There may be some in your state. I just heard about a fresh A&P being offered $12/hr to start with American Eagle in Dallas. That is **** after a person spends $14K-$20k for an A&P school. I guess you get what you pay for with degree programs running three to five times that amount.

If your son wants a career in aviation maintenance then look to a school with a degree program.

http://www.erau.edu/db/degrees/b-aerosystemsmaint.html

http://www.roswell.enmu.edu/degree_plans.php

There are distance learning (on-line) courses for the degree work which might be able to couple to an apprentice program somewhere.

Just like any other industry, a degree is the key to the advancement club and to a salery that can actually support an enjoyable life.

Good Luck,
JackT

[aelkins]

Thanks for the feedback so far.. all sound advice..

Let me just add... we checked into surrounding community colleges.
None offered A&P certification programs.
Some offered pilot programs, and one offered aeronatical engineering.

To give a better description of his goal is;
He wants to earn his A&P certification before following any career path.
We have a private (public use) airstrip with a 50 x 100 hanger.
A nice setup to 'half' the hanger into a repair station. Just lengthened the strip to 2500' (with access to a regional airport less than 10 miles away)
Good location to perform annuals, overhauls, repairs 'IF' the business is successful. If not, after being certified, he can obtain another full/part-time job and perform part-time A&P work (as it becomes available)
And yes, he will have his private ticket by then too. Being certified to FLY what you FIX gives the plane owner a cushion of confidence in your work. (or at least, that's my perspective)
I will check with the regional airport to see if there are any current A&Ps there willing to 'take him under their wing'.. That is the most pocket-friendly method however, I am willing to finance it all if neccessary to get him setup (so to speak).. I guess he can repay me with the next 30 annuals on my future RV purchase..

Again, thanks for all the feedback.. you're experience and willingness to share is priceless.

[CraigC]

A theme I see in your post is for your son to do annuals. It takes three years of having an A&P before you can get your IA. Having the A&P is great but having good training during the process is more important. Look for a place the offers a lot of practical/lab experience to go along with the book work. Look for schools that have donated aircraft. Getting on airframe experience is very valuable.

[Mike S]

If you haven't already done so, check with your local EAA chapter, you might be able to get some scholarship assistance, plus there might be other info there that can help you and your son out.

Too bad you are not local, our chapter has already assisted one kid in getting his A/P.

Good luck.

Mike

[osxuser]

I paid 2500 for my A&P including books and tests when I got it at the local community college. I highly recommend, all other things being equal, going with the cheapest program, since the FAA regulates what you have to learn...