Mighty Hunter AGE, Winco,
Many companies employ unlicensed engineers (fitters), I myself, with a Halton Apprenticeship, left the RAF after 12 years and joined a company as a fitter for a few months before I became a LAE. There are many that do not want the responsiblity of certifying aircraft and are happy enough to carry on as there are very many jobs that can be done as a fitter. Some fitters have been apprenticed and trained to licence standard but are too young to take a licence and are gaining the required experience to take it.
Regarding pressure checks on important systems, a fitter might very well install the necessary blanks and set up the test but a LAE would
physically check the results of the test, which normally require that a nominal pressure is held for a certain time. Winco is correct when stating it is a lot different outside the RAF, thankfully.
Last edited by Oldlae; 21st Jun 2008 at 15:43.