Mechanical or avionics?

[Daveee]

Hi, I'm planning to do piloting after my aircraft maintenance engineering course. Now I'm struggling to choose either mechanical or avionics to get me become a better pilot. Can anyone give me some suggestions? Thanks

[piggybank]

I can't see the connection between the trades mentioned and making you a better pilot. I would recommend taking the avionics study and licences. Its got better pay prospects. In fact in some countries the avionics pay is so good you will probably forget about commercial flying.

[grounded27]

Without the experience neither will help. A through understanding of aircraft systems after a decade or so troubleshooting problems on aircraft might help you write up a discrepancy with a bit more clarity than most pilots do.

[munster]

Mechanical or Lazyonics. That is the question? How good are you at drinking coffee or playing X box?

[vs69]

Do you like dogs? That will sway your decision...

[plhought]

This may sound negative but I discourage people who want to become engineers, thinking it's some 'back-door' or 'fast-track' to superior hiring chances as a commercial pilot down the road.

Both professions require time, money, and most importantly; absolute commitment. If your hearts in the flying, then go do it.

The only successful exceptions to pilot/engineers I've seen is in the fling-wing industry.

[grounded27]

This may sound negative but I discourage people who want to become engineers, thinking it's some 'back-door' or 'fast-track' to superior hiring chances as a commercial pilot down the road.

I know of several exceptions, those routes are dead with the death of the FE position. Had one who had started flying in his teens under PanAm's bennie to get his private and built up about 700 hrs on their dime and afterwards recreationally on his dime. Took a 747f flight mech gig, networked his way into a FE position while continuing to build flight time and using that FE time toward his ATP minimums. First ATP gig was right seat on a 742F. The whole time he was probably earning as much if not more than that FO seat paid over the years.

[glad rag]

Originally Posted by vs69

Do you like dogs? That will sway your decision...

OK, I'll bite.

Na can't be bothered, much rather enjoy the superior status and remuneration of the diagnostic trade.

and NO I don't mean Fairy’s.

OR

To put it another way, there's two sizes of KitKat bar. I'm showing you the smaller size.

How many fingers does it have.

[Gas Bags]

My advice is do both but start with B1 first then cross to B2.

It is extremely rare to see a B2 cross over and make a good all round B1/B2, whereas it is much more common to see a B1 crossover and make a competant B1/B2.

[lowfat]

totally disagree with that... any monkey can weald a spanner and fix a oil leak.. you look for the puddle on the floor... B1s can change a black box but when the electrickery leaks out theres no puddle on the floor..

B2s to B1 always are better...

cant wind me up I'm electric....

[Krystal n chips]

" any monkey can weald a spanner and fix a oil leak "

This is true.

However, we are also literate.

Wield...to save you searching on Google, at work, in the corner, with yet another latte / expresso / or even fully awake.

[vs69]

Krystal congratulations you win todays Internet,have a like. Im still working on glad rags kitkat conundrum but he's neglected to mention the chunky variety which changes everything, another variable to consider.

[Hasherucf]

I'm both B1 and B2 is GA .Find I spend most of my time doing B1 tasks.

Been thinking I should change my resume to B2 only. Not many GA operators can understand what can be done with a B2 guy.

Avionics are an after thought for most operators.

Saying that I would do B2 only if I had my time again. More mentally stimulating.Not sure about that in the airline world.

[aviatrixie]

They are called cone heads and q### traders for a reason you know...

Do you like hiding in a little room out the back of the hangar whilst the rest of us do the work? Then you get to scurry out (always in packs...like a competition to see how many avionics guys can squeeze into a cockpit at once - safety in numbers perhaps to avoid the big bad mechanical types) just to change a light bulb or do a BITE tests (yes just push that button, not much thought process involved...) then all scurry back before they get asked to help with de-jacking or some other task not in their job description (heaven forbid!)



All very tongue in cheek and yes I'm a blackhander grease monkey!