4 answers
Nathan
Student
Kalamazoo, Michigan
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What are some tips on how to effectively dual-major?
I am considering dual-enrollment in Aviation flight science and aviation maintenance, how could I maximize my time effectively?
#planes #aviation
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4 answers
Andrei Levcovici
Chief Inspector at Flexjet
62
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Andrei’s Answer
Hello Nathan,
The other answers here were excellent. Congrats on the decision to get both ratings, it will make you better at both. I am assuming that you will be working towards a Bachelors degree with these majors, so the basic academics will be the same. Now, for your Airframe and Powerplant (mechanic's A&P license) the FAA requires a minimum hours of training before you can take the test. The same is true with your Pilot's license. Research and planning is key to make both work, but it is very possible.
I was lucky enough to get my A&P from Aviation HS, where I would get 4 hours of shop class every day for 4 years to meet the minimum requirement. And on the weekend I would go to a flight school and take flying lessons.
There are various ways to go about this, but I would recommend finding a school like Embry Riddle that does both. Logistically it will be easier to attend everything on one campus, and they may have scholarships, grants and incentives that will help financially as well. There are other schools, but most will specialize in one or the other which will make scheduling more of a challenge. Also, not all schools will offer a degree at the end.
A Pilot Mechanic with a Bachelors degree will have a very bright future. Good luck!
The other answers here were excellent. Congrats on the decision to get both ratings, it will make you better at both. I am assuming that you will be working towards a Bachelors degree with these majors, so the basic academics will be the same. Now, for your Airframe and Powerplant (mechanic's A&P license) the FAA requires a minimum hours of training before you can take the test. The same is true with your Pilot's license. Research and planning is key to make both work, but it is very possible.
I was lucky enough to get my A&P from Aviation HS, where I would get 4 hours of shop class every day for 4 years to meet the minimum requirement. And on the weekend I would go to a flight school and take flying lessons.
There are various ways to go about this, but I would recommend finding a school like Embry Riddle that does both. Logistically it will be easier to attend everything on one campus, and they may have scholarships, grants and incentives that will help financially as well. There are other schools, but most will specialize in one or the other which will make scheduling more of a challenge. Also, not all schools will offer a degree at the end.
A Pilot Mechanic with a Bachelors degree will have a very bright future. Good luck!
Reginald Evans
Flight Engineer at Kalitta Air, L.L.C.
7
Answers
Saint Petersburg, Florida
Updated
Reginald’s Answer
Well, obviously you can start by determining which classes are required for both and take them as soon as you are able. You could also do papers on the effect maintenance has on performance, and vice versa.
Candise Tu
3
Answers
Updated
Candise’s Answer
As Reginald mentioned, there is a lot of overlap in classes which will help you save time, but to get the most out of your education I think you should try to see if you can intern or volunteer in any business or with an operator where the pilots and mechanics are one and the same and hold both licenses.
Being a pilot (but not a mechanic) I know there are limits to my technical knowledge of the machinery and whenever I "squawk" something on an aircraft I have to be able to say more than 'it sounds weird' or 'there's a vibration that wasn't there before.' A pilot who's also a mechanic will already have some idea based on their knowledge of how everything works more specifically to point everyone in the right direction or even troubleshoot it themselves. A mechanic who's a pilot (who wasn't in the helicopter when it happened) can ask questions like 'what were you doing when this happened?'
Aviation maintenance is a field that really requires a lot more hands on experience to become a well rounded generalist so you should see if there are people in the field willing to just chat with you. You could go to any smaller airport that had a flight school and just ask around. This might even help you secure a meaningful summer internship or job.
Also, don't be dismissive of or afraid to do something less than what you're training for, e.g. being a line person/refueled. In such a position you're taught to handle aircraft and will probably have the opportunity to talk to both pilots and mechanics relatively extensively.
For people who are dual licensed and can give you a real perspective, pilots working in agricultural spraying like crop dusters, people working for forestry services doing firefighting and lots of people in flying clubs are often dual licensed.
Being a pilot (but not a mechanic) I know there are limits to my technical knowledge of the machinery and whenever I "squawk" something on an aircraft I have to be able to say more than 'it sounds weird' or 'there's a vibration that wasn't there before.' A pilot who's also a mechanic will already have some idea based on their knowledge of how everything works more specifically to point everyone in the right direction or even troubleshoot it themselves. A mechanic who's a pilot (who wasn't in the helicopter when it happened) can ask questions like 'what were you doing when this happened?'
Aviation maintenance is a field that really requires a lot more hands on experience to become a well rounded generalist so you should see if there are people in the field willing to just chat with you. You could go to any smaller airport that had a flight school and just ask around. This might even help you secure a meaningful summer internship or job.
Also, don't be dismissive of or afraid to do something less than what you're training for, e.g. being a line person/refueled. In such a position you're taught to handle aircraft and will probably have the opportunity to talk to both pilots and mechanics relatively extensively.
For people who are dual licensed and can give you a real perspective, pilots working in agricultural spraying like crop dusters, people working for forestry services doing firefighting and lots of people in flying clubs are often dual licensed.
Malavika Chugh
Financial Markets Associate at PwC
5
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Malavika’s Answer
Hi Nathan,
I did a double major in college as well and I think I have some tips that can help you efficiently manage the courseload and also have a social/extra-curricular life!
1. Planning is key. Get the help of a college counselor to make a rough plan of when you will be taking the classes you require. Most universities start off with general/basic requirements that will take up a good part of your freshmen year, but you should still plan ahead for the next few years. Even if you don't know what electives you will want to take later, it's a good idea to spread the credits out evenly.
2. Summer programs. I know it's hard to spend that extra money for summer classes, but it helped take some load off the regular school year for me. The classes and professors during the summer can be easier sometimes, so it will help you boost that GPA.
3. Research. Do some research to find if there are any courses that overlap for your two majors! If not, sometimes you can petition to make some classes count toward both your majors. That definitely helps cut down on extra time. The two courses you mentioned definitely sound like they'll have some overlapping requirements, so that's a great plus!
For next steps, I would recommend talking to your seniors who may have done the same, because they can help you with the specifics of how your college works. Don't let the idea of a double major scare you! It's definitely doable, and you can have a good work-life balance if you just plan ahead.
I did a double major in college as well and I think I have some tips that can help you efficiently manage the courseload and also have a social/extra-curricular life!
1. Planning is key. Get the help of a college counselor to make a rough plan of when you will be taking the classes you require. Most universities start off with general/basic requirements that will take up a good part of your freshmen year, but you should still plan ahead for the next few years. Even if you don't know what electives you will want to take later, it's a good idea to spread the credits out evenly.
2. Summer programs. I know it's hard to spend that extra money for summer classes, but it helped take some load off the regular school year for me. The classes and professors during the summer can be easier sometimes, so it will help you boost that GPA.
3. Research. Do some research to find if there are any courses that overlap for your two majors! If not, sometimes you can petition to make some classes count toward both your majors. That definitely helps cut down on extra time. The two courses you mentioned definitely sound like they'll have some overlapping requirements, so that's a great plus!
For next steps, I would recommend talking to your seniors who may have done the same, because they can help you with the specifics of how your college works. Don't let the idea of a double major scare you! It's definitely doable, and you can have a good work-life balance if you just plan ahead.