Calling all A/C Engineers!
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Calling all A/C Engineers!
Hello All,
I am after some advice!, I am in the RAF at the moment and I have 4 years untill I leave. I want to start a new Career In Aircraft Mechanical Engineering. I hold an ONC in Mechanical Engineering as well as a NVQ 3 In aviation. My job does not entail working on aircraft so I have no "hands on". Here are my questions-
1. Do you think at the age of 30 I am to old for an apprenticeship?
2. I am thinking of doing my HNC/HND in Mechanical engineering, will this render me over qualified for an apprenticeship?
3. What are the best companies to approach (near manchester)?
4. What can I do to make myself as attractive as possible to companies, with regard to qualifications and courses etc?
Thanks in advance for reading this post, I look forward to some responce.
I am after some advice!, I am in the RAF at the moment and I have 4 years untill I leave. I want to start a new Career In Aircraft Mechanical Engineering. I hold an ONC in Mechanical Engineering as well as a NVQ 3 In aviation. My job does not entail working on aircraft so I have no "hands on". Here are my questions-
1. Do you think at the age of 30 I am to old for an apprenticeship?
2. I am thinking of doing my HNC/HND in Mechanical engineering, will this render me over qualified for an apprenticeship?
3. What are the best companies to approach (near manchester)?
4. What can I do to make myself as attractive as possible to companies, with regard to qualifications and courses etc?
Thanks in advance for reading this post, I look forward to some responce.
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When you say "My job does not entail working on aircraft so I have no "hands on" what is it you actually do, as it does matter for an application to go for a license.
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1. yes probably
2. yes probably
3. TCX, MON, TOM etc
4. It depends on what discipline within 'Engineering' you want to do, you say you are not hands on, so are you in design, tech services, powerplants, planning etc etc etc
If you want to be a hands on licenced technician, Cat A or B, you will need 5 years experience to be able to hold said licence. Unless you go down the academic college 2 or 3 year course.
All the info is available on the CAA website in the safety regulation section, look for the ELGD documents.
2. yes probably
3. TCX, MON, TOM etc
4. It depends on what discipline within 'Engineering' you want to do, you say you are not hands on, so are you in design, tech services, powerplants, planning etc etc etc
If you want to be a hands on licenced technician, Cat A or B, you will need 5 years experience to be able to hold said licence. Unless you go down the academic college 2 or 3 year course.
All the info is available on the CAA website in the safety regulation section, look for the ELGD documents.
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Thanks for the feedback guys, I currently work as a Safety Equipment Fitter, which is a bit of a mixed bag really! I undertake tasks like maintaining Liferafts and it associated systems, Repairing equipment used by aircrew (Helmets, Masks, Night vision goggles and Anti G suits etc), so the job I do at the moment is not connected with "Mechanical Engineering" although I have studied the Academic side of it and really enjoyed it
So I would need to start from scratch when I leave, although I have a sound knowlege of workin around A/C and all the procedures that come with that type of employment, I would still need to start again with an open mind!
As to what part of Engineering I wish to work, it would be on the mechanical side of things, Airframes,propulsion etc on A/C directly.
I have spoke to Monarch Airlines and they have said I am to far off leaving for them to give me any solid answers, and of course things can change!
My real dilema is, do I concentrate all my efforts on a job in avaition only to be told at the last minute there is no chance of a job.
Well thanks for your feedback and any tips/ideas that you have will be much appreciated
So I would need to start from scratch when I leave, although I have a sound knowlege of workin around A/C and all the procedures that come with that type of employment, I would still need to start again with an open mind!
As to what part of Engineering I wish to work, it would be on the mechanical side of things, Airframes,propulsion etc on A/C directly.
I have spoke to Monarch Airlines and they have said I am to far off leaving for them to give me any solid answers, and of course things can change!
My real dilema is, do I concentrate all my efforts on a job in avaition only to be told at the last minute there is no chance of a job.
Well thanks for your feedback and any tips/ideas that you have will be much appreciated
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Hi, I work as a SE Fitt, we maintain all survival equipment and aircrew flying equipment from the IHADDS which is used in the Apache (helmet and sighting system) to liferats for use in the Lynx. I did post this and some more info but for some reason it has not come up on here!?
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Probably one of the things to do would be to start reading through this.
http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/ELGDBook_07_WebVersion.pdf
It will show you the requirements, I can't see any reason why you could not start on the modules required for the licences, after all with them under your belt you would just need the experience to go with them, and having the modules done would look favourable for a future employer.
Anyone else see a problem with going down that route??
http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/ELGDBook_07_WebVersion.pdf
It will show you the requirements, I can't see any reason why you could not start on the modules required for the licences, after all with them under your belt you would just need the experience to go with them, and having the modules done would look favourable for a future employer.
Anyone else see a problem with going down that route??
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Hi, Thanks for the link, I will sit and digest that tonight!. So I take it I can study the modules that can be done without having to touch an A/C?. The only thing really stopping me jumping in with 2 feet is the fact I could fund myself to study an area (Aircraft Mechanical Engineering) only to find when I leave aged 30 no one will touch me with a barge pole due to my age and maybe being over qualified, I would Imagine they would rather have a fresh young nipper over myself!, therefore I could be wasting a lot of time and money, although I know that that is a risk a lot of forces people have to take.
Do you think the fact that I am older and wiser, as well as having extensive knowlege of using tools and the operating procedures the come with aviation (tool control, Tmec etc etc) would render me employable in this Industry?
Do you think the fact that I am older and wiser, as well as having extensive knowlege of using tools and the operating procedures the come with aviation (tool control, Tmec etc etc) would render me employable in this Industry?
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kel,
Have you considered re-mustering to one of the aircraft technical trades if at all possible? The civil industry is dire at the moment and there are vast numbers of fitters/mechs currently unemployed. A lot of these guys are time served and have accrued many years on the tools and they still cannot find work. Your chances of securing employment with no relevant hands on experience is almost nil. Re-mustering and giving the RAF say another 3-5 years of your time will enable you to gain some valuable experience of actually working on aircraft. You could also use this time to self study for a Part-66 AML by picking off the modules one by one. The industry will hopefully have turned a corner by then and you will be a more attractive proposition to potential employers.
Many guys (both civilian and ex military) have to self fund their licence studies. The days of employers putting you through your ticket are long gone. They will help you get over the final hurdle if you are struggling with the last couple of exams but don't expect a free ride from the outset, it isn't going to happen. Have a word with some of the guys on the Sqn's where you work or contact other stations. Ask around and I bet you'll find a fair few studying for their licenses. Beg, steal and borrow all the notes/books you can, you'll be surprised what you can get hold of. Have a look HERE for a list of CAA suggested reading material, it's all listed in appendix B. A lot of the publications can be sourced second hand on the internet or found in local libraries.
Your military background will stand you in good stead outside and the fact that you have good manual dexterity and a sound understanding of tool control etc. will aid your cause. As for being over qualified, I wouldn't worry too much about that. You can have all the HND's, degrees and fancy letters after your name in the world, however, they don't mean a great deal to somebody employing mechanics to fix aeroplanes. They want to see experience and unfortunately that is something you just cannot buy.
Your age will probably render you too old for an apprenticeship. Organisations get subsidies from the government to fund these schemes but the students have to fall within a certain age bracket to qualify. I've known guys older than you who have entered this industry from other backgrounds. At the end of the day it isn't going to be easy, but if you want it that bad you'll find a way.
Good luck!!
Have you considered re-mustering to one of the aircraft technical trades if at all possible? The civil industry is dire at the moment and there are vast numbers of fitters/mechs currently unemployed. A lot of these guys are time served and have accrued many years on the tools and they still cannot find work. Your chances of securing employment with no relevant hands on experience is almost nil. Re-mustering and giving the RAF say another 3-5 years of your time will enable you to gain some valuable experience of actually working on aircraft. You could also use this time to self study for a Part-66 AML by picking off the modules one by one. The industry will hopefully have turned a corner by then and you will be a more attractive proposition to potential employers.
Many guys (both civilian and ex military) have to self fund their licence studies. The days of employers putting you through your ticket are long gone. They will help you get over the final hurdle if you are struggling with the last couple of exams but don't expect a free ride from the outset, it isn't going to happen. Have a word with some of the guys on the Sqn's where you work or contact other stations. Ask around and I bet you'll find a fair few studying for their licenses. Beg, steal and borrow all the notes/books you can, you'll be surprised what you can get hold of. Have a look HERE for a list of CAA suggested reading material, it's all listed in appendix B. A lot of the publications can be sourced second hand on the internet or found in local libraries.
Your military background will stand you in good stead outside and the fact that you have good manual dexterity and a sound understanding of tool control etc. will aid your cause. As for being over qualified, I wouldn't worry too much about that. You can have all the HND's, degrees and fancy letters after your name in the world, however, they don't mean a great deal to somebody employing mechanics to fix aeroplanes. They want to see experience and unfortunately that is something you just cannot buy.
Your age will probably render you too old for an apprenticeship. Organisations get subsidies from the government to fund these schemes but the students have to fall within a certain age bracket to qualify. I've known guys older than you who have entered this industry from other backgrounds. At the end of the day it isn't going to be easy, but if you want it that bad you'll find a way.
Good luck!!
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I think employers are more often than not interested in someone with "maturity".
30isnt old... just think, the newly qualified 40year-old flight Sergent who may have ...many years experience on VC10's or Chinooks, those popular civil aircraft may be in a comparable position to yourself.
If you have four years before you plan to leave it may be possible to do some holiday/resettlement work to get your civil time in with a local aircraft company.
Good luck
30isnt old... just think, the newly qualified 40year-old flight Sergent who may have ...many years experience on VC10's or Chinooks, those popular civil aircraft may be in a comparable position to yourself.
If you have four years before you plan to leave it may be possible to do some holiday/resettlement work to get your civil time in with a local aircraft company.
Good luck
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Hi EGT, Thanks for that honest feedback, thats exactly what I want!, I considerd remustering into airframes, but with promotion just around the corner I feel a bit weary of throwing that away, although in the long term it may be a wise move. So really I need hands on, that is what it boils down too. Another gent has metioned working locally at a company in my own time, do you think that would count as hands on?, as you can tell I am really passionate about doing this, I wanted to do it in the RAF but flunked the maths, although I have spent considerable time at college to bringing it up to standard. As I have said I am willing to do anything to work in the Industry, I know alot of people moan about poor salarys etc etc but I am not after money, just job satisfaction!!
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I would seriously consider re-mustering. I'm not sure what rank you are at the moment but I'm guessing your looking at promotion to Cpl? You need to consider whether taking the promotion will be of any benefit long term. If I were an employer looking to take on an ex-RAF guy I'd choose a 4 year SAC airframe tech over a 12 year SE fitt Cpl whose only hands on experience was the odd weekend helping out down the local flying club everytime. You see it's all about experience, something which you have little of at this moment in time.
You need actual hands on and the only way you are going to get this is by working on aircraft. Helping out at your local establishment will help, at the end of the day any experience is better than none but you'd be far better off doing it full time. It takes many years to become a competent aircraft fitter so the sooner you can get spannering the better.
As for poor salaries, I'd take what you hear with a pinch of salt, the money on offer out here is a damn sight better than the RAF. I did just shy of 12 years before jumping ship. I got my licenses before leaving and now earning the kind of money that would make my old SEngO green with envy. Not bad for a lowly old ex Cpl.....
You need actual hands on and the only way you are going to get this is by working on aircraft. Helping out at your local establishment will help, at the end of the day any experience is better than none but you'd be far better off doing it full time. It takes many years to become a competent aircraft fitter so the sooner you can get spannering the better.
As for poor salaries, I'd take what you hear with a pinch of salt, the money on offer out here is a damn sight better than the RAF. I did just shy of 12 years before jumping ship. I got my licenses before leaving and now earning the kind of money that would make my old SEngO green with envy. Not bad for a lowly old ex Cpl.....
