I am a returning Iraq Vet that has PLENTY of experience on working on Army Aircraft... sheetmetal was my game for 6 years... I live in Sacramento CA and my search for employment doing what I love is discouraging.. I got out of the service to be with my family... but I still want to do what I do best.. Sheetmetal/Airframe. I was told that after 3 yrs of Airframe.. I qualify for my "A" of the "A&P" liscence... can someone help me out...
2006-11-09 08:28:25 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Aircraft
Contact the FAA Sacramento FSDO. They will be able to help you with everything. Here is the link to the contact info.
http://www.faa.gov/about/office%5Forg/field%5Foffices/fsdo/sac/
2006-11-09 08:53:41 · answer #1 · answered by Jerry L 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is going to sound stupid at first, but you should get into building experimentals.
The average person cannot afford a cessna 172 for $260,000, so they look at ultralights. The majority of mass produced ultralights are crap. thats where they need people like you.
They hire professionals like you to build these aircraft. There is a huge demand, and you can get work at any EAA fly-in or online at Ultralight news(they also list almost all models of kit and ultralight aircraft)
Here is an example of experimentals that requires experience like yours in order to build:
http://www.ultralightflyer.com/airventure_05/sport-rider.html
http://www.ultralightflyer.com/airshow-snf05/5.html
http://www.ultralightflyer.com/airventure_05/aerostar.html
http://www.ultralightflyer.com/airventure_05/acrolite.html
http://www.ultralightflyer.com/airventure_05/bushcaddy.html
You should have no problem building these. The tooling required is extremely simple.
Each aircraft would take at least a few weeks and you would profit at least several thousand dollars.
It is not unreasonable to expect to build 10 aircraft a year (experienced builders usually can complete an aircraft in less than 250hrs, compared to thousands of hours by novices), so you could make $50,000 if you made only $5000 an aircraft, which is extremely low.
2006-11-09 22:50:31 · answer #2 · answered by Doggzilla 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I, also was in military aircraft airframes for a long time. I believe that you will have to take a test in order to get the "A" of the "A&P" license. Maybe the "hands on" part will be waviered. Check into it, probably with FAA. If they are not the place to go they will know where to go.
GOOD LUCK!!!!! Pops
2006-11-09 17:02:27 · answer #3 · answered by Pops 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately that is true you only have the experience on the airframe rather then the power plant. You can probably attend a school like WyoTech to obtain the rest of your license or convert your military experience to civilian.
2006-11-09 17:04:59 · answer #4 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
have you considered joining the California National Guard and getting assigned as a Military Technician at the Stockton National Guard base? It is a full time job doing what you want and you would be using your military skills.
2006-11-09 17:53:07 · answer #5 · answered by yes_its_me 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hear Boeing in Washington State is hiring for Structure Assemblers.
2006-11-10 09:40:14 · answer #6 · answered by strech 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
many of the major airlines need good sheet metal men. they will interview you and if you have what they want, hire you but you may have to move........i was once interviewed by American and almost moved to San Francisco but something else came along..........good luck
2006-11-09 20:30:29 · answer #7 · answered by george m 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋