Pathways to LAME in Australia
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Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Melbourne
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Pathways to LAME in Australia
Hi, I have nil experience in the aviation industry whatsoever and i want to become a LAME. Where is the best starting place? I am based in Melbourne and I know Kangan offers cert II/cert IV/ diploma in aeroskills, (the cert IV is an apprenticeship course which means I have to find someone who will take me on as apprentice first). There is also RMIT offering advanced diploma in engineering (aeronautics)/bachelor (which i don't think is necessary for LAME).
I am really confused, should I apply for a Cert II first to get the "leg up" or should I go straight for a diploma of aeroskills which is a two year course. P.S I find a lot more institute in QLD offer similar courses and are normally 1 year in length, I don't know why.
Please help me!!!
I am really confused, should I apply for a Cert II first to get the "leg up" or should I go straight for a diploma of aeroskills which is a two year course. P.S I find a lot more institute in QLD offer similar courses and are normally 1 year in length, I don't know why.
Please help me!!!
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Australia
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Hi Mate,
I'm an Avionics LAME in GA (General Aviation). With recent changes coming about with CASA Licensing we are broken into a few different categories. To keep things simple it's bananas in pajamas: B1 - Engine/Airframe, B2 - Avionics. So I am have a B2 license.
I got started in this industry by going to Aviation Australia in Queensland and getting my Cert IV in Aeroskills, which is a one year course. TAFE's around the country also offer this Cert IV. Queensland do seem to have a few options when it comes to different institutes that offer this training as opposed to NSW, which is where I am now based.
Once getting the theory modules of the Cert IV out of the way I then got offered an apprenticeship with a company in NSW which is where I complete the practical side of the training and after 3 years I was awarded a Cert IV in Aeroskills. Now, what some of the other guys have done is got an apprenticeship with an employer and then over about 4 years have done their theory in block release with TAFE over that period.
The next step will be a little different for you as it was for me since the regulations have changed on licensing, but I sat a number of CASA exams and filled out a logbook of experience to apply for my LAME license. CASA is now doing away with this and as I understand it now you need to then go on to do a Diploma at TAFE or similar institute.
As for the state of the industry, I can only speak for what I have experienced in GA. What I have found now, about 6 years in, is that there is plenty of opportunities and good pay, but... you have to have a passion for what you do, and be dedicated for the long term.
I'm an Avionics LAME in GA (General Aviation). With recent changes coming about with CASA Licensing we are broken into a few different categories. To keep things simple it's bananas in pajamas: B1 - Engine/Airframe, B2 - Avionics. So I am have a B2 license.
I got started in this industry by going to Aviation Australia in Queensland and getting my Cert IV in Aeroskills, which is a one year course. TAFE's around the country also offer this Cert IV. Queensland do seem to have a few options when it comes to different institutes that offer this training as opposed to NSW, which is where I am now based.
Once getting the theory modules of the Cert IV out of the way I then got offered an apprenticeship with a company in NSW which is where I complete the practical side of the training and after 3 years I was awarded a Cert IV in Aeroskills. Now, what some of the other guys have done is got an apprenticeship with an employer and then over about 4 years have done their theory in block release with TAFE over that period.
The next step will be a little different for you as it was for me since the regulations have changed on licensing, but I sat a number of CASA exams and filled out a logbook of experience to apply for my LAME license. CASA is now doing away with this and as I understand it now you need to then go on to do a Diploma at TAFE or similar institute.
As for the state of the industry, I can only speak for what I have experienced in GA. What I have found now, about 6 years in, is that there is plenty of opportunities and good pay, but... you have to have a passion for what you do, and be dedicated for the long term.
Last edited by ItsBesideThePoint; 24th Oct 2014 at 08:14.
Join Date: Oct 2011
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Besidethepoint is probably correct with reference to GA. Sorry I assumed the thread was about commercial aviation. Look mate I've only been here a year (from the UK) but the opportunities are few and far between. You're right though things could change but I don't think it will. One of the problems was letting engineers from overseas in to an already saturated market. A lot of us came here thinking there was a shortage of engineers. In fact there's a shortage of jobs and we're just contributing to the problem by being here. Good luck with whatever you decide 👍
Join Date: Oct 2013
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I was at Kangan a few week ago, finishing up my Diploma and the word from there at the moment is that there are two parties possibly interested in taking over from Kangan/AITC. One is Aviation Australia, the other is Federation Uni, which is an amalgamation of the former University of Ballarat and Monash University's Gippsland campus. Staff have been advised to submit their CVs to both organisations and then just wait and see.
