I'm looking to going to school to become a Jet Mechanic/aircraft mechanic. Can anybody give me some input ?

Question

well I'm 19 i'm looking to go to school for an automotive degree and i've been advised against it by some family members due to real world app. I was wanting to know about the fields of a Jet Mechanic/ Aircraft mech. Can someone with experiance in this field maybe give me some advice please?

Answer 1

Yes,You are in good health,Join the U.S. Air Force,You will learn thru class Room and on the Airplane ,and Jet Engs all kinds.
This way it will not cost as much as private School,and with proper break ,get to work State of Art, Air Craft,With this experiance behind you,Civil Service can use you.A rewarding Career not boring .I even got to ride some wild Mustang Horses
in my spare time,Both are hard on the Body.Good Luck,

Here is a few things you can know.Jet Engs only 2igniters # 4 and # 5,with cross fire tubes, There are 8 comb Chambers,
J 75 19W Pratt Whitney :can annular dual spool axial flow comp. for the f105,Heres another Rolls Royce T.F 41 ,picked up by Allision, used in A 7 There are more up to date types ,but have to keep for self.

Answer 2

Being in this business as an aircraft mechanic for 30 yrs. I would suggest that you find another field to go into. First there are bankruptcies which I have been affected at two airlines and now like most of the airlines are doing they are cutting your retirement pensions by 40% by turning it over to the government during bankruptcy. There have been numerous layoffs during the up and down cycles in the industry. Right now there are numerous mechanics laid off from the airlines which haven't been called back completely.Due to the outsourcing of work to other countries and other company's in the USA you will probably get a job with a company like that making less with very little medical coverage.But many people don't stay in those jobs very long so you have a revolving door.So take it from me get your masters education in college so you wouldn't have to get your hands dirty!!

Answer 3

The Air Force is an excellent idea, Army if you really want to do helicopters. I did the Army, with no intention of being an A&P when I got out last year. You get enough experience for the FAA to let you test, and it's much cheaper than school. I hear guys I work with talk of the ATA school in Indy being up to $38000 now!! Don't get me wrong, you still need to study. Some things you will never see in the military ( radial engines ) but there are questions on them. You can get the test standards and military job codes that qualify you for an A&P off www.faa.gov.
As far as choosing between car and acft mechanic? It's what you like to do. You won't get rich in aviation, at least not at first. I know i'm not. You have to pay your dues and work your way up. The jobs that start out high usually have some hidden less than desirable qualities. Horrible hours, short term contract, no insurance. Just do some research and figure out exactly what you would like to start with.

Answer 4

First you need your A&P ratings which you can get from a J.C. near you. Get your grades up and enroll in a program out of high school. If you're in socal try Mt. Sac college or Long Beach City College. In the Bay Area there is Alameda College and San Francisco City College. In Sacramento there is Sac City. You spend 2 years doing that and most likely start working on piston airplanes, although i've known companies to hire straight into a turbine gig. General rule of thumb is you pay your dues on the light aircraft and work up to jets. Or you can join the air force which is not a bad idea as well. With experience there are several places in CA you can work.

Answer 5

I happen to work at a major jet engine manufacturer. I work with mechanics all the time. Sadly, at my company, I see their jobs disappearing. In the mid-1980's, there were 18,000 union jobs in this state. Now there are fewer than 5,000. What is happening is that my company(and I imagine all large corporations) are trying to find places in Poland, China, etc to find mechanics there to work for less. If you get a job, I suggest you don't get a union job as I see these jobs disappearing.

Instead, get a job that gives you access to a salary position or better yet a job where the company will sponsor your getting a higher degree so you can get skills that never go out of style. When applying at a job, I would ask, "Am I able to apply for non-hourly jobs here after a couple of years?" and "Does your company pay for higher education degrees?" Good luck.

Answer 6

I dont quite understand why someone would advise you against automotive mechanics, its a varied, complex and growing field. If you really want to become a part of the aviation industry, I strongly suggest you join the military for two reasons. First, the civilian aviation industry is crap right now. You are quite likely to spend 18-24 months in school, pile up 30+ grand in debt, and be competing with experienced mechs who are out there as well. In short you will find yourself unemployed. Secondly, in the military (Air Force/Navy for jets, Army for Helo's) you will gain invaluable experience in mechanics and life in general. You will make decent money (if you are single) and can come out with money in the bank instead of owing thousands to one.

Answer 7

I'm currently in school at New Hampshire Community Technical College at Nashua for the A&P program. I can tell you right now that the military is going to get you money for college, and possible get you shipped to Iraq. Thats it. The experience you gain will not mean much. There are no reciprocating engines in the military, except in the trucks.

Off the top of my head, to get an A&P, you have to know: wood structures, aircraft finishes, sheet metal repair, aviation regulations, basic electronics, digital logic, hydraulics, reciprocating engines, turbine engines, carburators, fire prevention, inspections, corrosion prevention, fabric coverings, cabin pressurization, heating and air conditioning, drafting, assembaly and rigging, systems, engine electrical... Quite a few of these, the military mechanics will never see. We have a former marine mechanic, who worked on the harer, and an ex-airforce mechanic who worked on the F111. Only a few of their classes were excused because of their military experience. They both are taking two years, like the rest of us, to compleat the program.

There should be a large demand for mechanics in the future, with all the baby boomers retiring. Theres money to be made, but you have to chase it all over the country. Every job, in aviation, is a stepping stone to a better one.

Answer 8

I've seen jet mechanics working in a factory setting, they didn't have to work as hard as an auto mechanic, and the pay was better. The only concern I would have is, how is the job market for jet mechanics? In 92 when I was in that field, they were laying off, it's probably better now, but I would check it out.

Answer 9

The first thing I would suggest is 4 years in the Air Force or Navy aviation. I did the navey route then went on to a major US airline where I spent the next 34 years. The Navy gave me the training to get my airline job and paid me to go to school when I was discharged, Many community colleges will work with Navy personnell and you can get your schooling while you are in the service. When you leave you can have your A7P license in your hand. The FAA requires an A&P just to get your foot in the door and the airlines won't een accept an application without one. Good luck

Answer 10

UNCLE SAM WANT YOU!
With the new sign on bonuses, its a good offer. Im no recruiter, but Ive been in the Army for 11 years. Ive just returned from Iraq, and I know for a fact that you will be in high demand as an Aircraft Mechanic. Which means a higher sign-on bonus!
So put on your big girl panties and and go swear in!!!