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What are the benefits in aviation mechanics?
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Wayne’s Answer
Aviation Maintenance was a very rewarding job for me.
1. You get to fix things that other people break.
2. You will always be learning something new.
3. You will earn a fairly decent wage when working for a Fixed Base Operator (FBO), and an even better wage if you can get on with a major airline, (i.e United, American, Southwest, Delta, etc. ). If you can get any job with the major airlines some of them will help pay for your education to get your mechanics license.
4. With the major airlines you get to travel "stand-by" for no charge to you.
5. You will learn a lot of different skills you can take to different industries: Electrical, Electronics, Hydraulics, Sheetmetal, Welding, Air Conditioning.
1. You get to fix things that other people break.
2. You will always be learning something new.
3. You will earn a fairly decent wage when working for a Fixed Base Operator (FBO), and an even better wage if you can get on with a major airline, (i.e United, American, Southwest, Delta, etc. ). If you can get any job with the major airlines some of them will help pay for your education to get your mechanics license.
4. With the major airlines you get to travel "stand-by" for no charge to you.
5. You will learn a lot of different skills you can take to different industries: Electrical, Electronics, Hydraulics, Sheetmetal, Welding, Air Conditioning.
thanks
wayne
cesar
Updated
Justin’s Answer
I see Wayne already gave a good list, but as a current A&P mechanic, I'll add a few more details.
1. Fixing things other people break - I have never felt more pride than when I fixed an APU electrical starter contactor in an ERJ175, on the ramp while it was raining and 33F. Took me several hours and several "warm up the hands" breaks with hot chocolate, but when we fired up the APU and she started without issue, it made all the suffering worthwhile. For me, this feeling of accomplishment after every repair makes my job feel not like a job at all.
2. Fairly decent wage - Your local "mom and pop" shop will likely pay somewhere between $25-$40/hr for your A&P license and skills. Commercial and cargo operators start around $35 and top out around $70 after 6 years (depends on the CBAs of each airline), but are extremely competitive to get into. Corporate operators pay around $35 and top out around $50, but there are certain positions where you can make more.
3. There is a HUGE shortage of A&P mechanics right now, and it will only get worse over the next few years as more of the "baby boomer" generation retires. The aviation industry has known this for many years and the salaries are starting to reflect how companies are competing for labor. When I started, my first job paid me $18/hr. 5 years later, that same job, with no experience, now pays $34/hr. It's a great time to get into the aviation maintenance industry.
4. You will be able to find a job all over the country, meaning you can set your roots down anywhere you choose. I have resided in 3 different states in my 5 years, and I have fixed airplanes in almost every state west of the Rockies and several more east of them. This career has taken me so many places that I never would have gone to otherwise.
5. Training can be completed in less than 2 years. I completed my training in 15 months for about $30k at a Part 147 aviation maintenance school, then passed my 3 written exams a week after and my oral and practical exam 2 weeks later. I found my first job within 4 weeks. All tolled, I went from "zero" to "on the job" in less than 20 months and I haven't looked back since.
1. Fixing things other people break - I have never felt more pride than when I fixed an APU electrical starter contactor in an ERJ175, on the ramp while it was raining and 33F. Took me several hours and several "warm up the hands" breaks with hot chocolate, but when we fired up the APU and she started without issue, it made all the suffering worthwhile. For me, this feeling of accomplishment after every repair makes my job feel not like a job at all.
2. Fairly decent wage - Your local "mom and pop" shop will likely pay somewhere between $25-$40/hr for your A&P license and skills. Commercial and cargo operators start around $35 and top out around $70 after 6 years (depends on the CBAs of each airline), but are extremely competitive to get into. Corporate operators pay around $35 and top out around $50, but there are certain positions where you can make more.
3. There is a HUGE shortage of A&P mechanics right now, and it will only get worse over the next few years as more of the "baby boomer" generation retires. The aviation industry has known this for many years and the salaries are starting to reflect how companies are competing for labor. When I started, my first job paid me $18/hr. 5 years later, that same job, with no experience, now pays $34/hr. It's a great time to get into the aviation maintenance industry.
4. You will be able to find a job all over the country, meaning you can set your roots down anywhere you choose. I have resided in 3 different states in my 5 years, and I have fixed airplanes in almost every state west of the Rockies and several more east of them. This career has taken me so many places that I never would have gone to otherwise.
5. Training can be completed in less than 2 years. I completed my training in 15 months for about $30k at a Part 147 aviation maintenance school, then passed my 3 written exams a week after and my oral and practical exam 2 weeks later. I found my first job within 4 weeks. All tolled, I went from "zero" to "on the job" in less than 20 months and I haven't looked back since.
Thank you, Justin!
cesar