MRIYA225, set me straight on a few things, I have worked on some US registered aircraft over here and before you even change a landing light, it seems that you have to phone the States to get permission. Is this typical of how the whole industry works over there, or is it just because we are not FAA certifiers, has there been a gradual move to this kind of working due to deskilling.
The RMA that the time ex mentioned is a limited certifying authorisation, mainly company issued to cover wheels, brakes, lights, cabin equipment ect. I totally agree it has given some people who are not up to it certifying powers and the extra money has ment a lot of the people with promise are saying its not worth all the effort for a couple thousand more and all the grief and responsibilty that goes with it.
Interesting point from Kanga that the average age is so high, the average age on my shift must be late 40's now and thats just fallen because 2 guys with over 65 years combined EXPERIENCE have left. The only people coming in at the bottom now have lots of licences but NO experience. JAR66 will increase that. They class themselves as graduates so after a couple of years the are not going to want to be changing a brake unit in sub-zero temperature on the ramp in the middle of the night. But would like a nice cosy 9-5 office job.
The camels back is groaning, it sounds as if the industry world wide is going to be suffering a very severe skills shortage sooner than most people think. Unlike cabin crew, we can't be replaced in 3 months. We need investment in people fast.
Thanks for the info guys, anyone else can reinforce this skills shortage info with more facts and figures, I would appreciate it.