The best route to B1 for a career changer?
Hi
Im looking for some advice really on how to get into aircraft maintainence engineering. I'm starting to get my head around the different licenses and sub catergories but would be keen to get people's views on the best route into the industry.
Am I right in saying there are 2 routes:
1) Full time 2 year course at somewhere like Kingston, then 2 years practical in order to get the B1 licence
2) Try and get a job whilst studying the modules, pass the modules and then give evidence of 5 years experience in order to get the B1 licence.
What are peoples views the the two options? ( if there are other ways to do it, I'd love to hear). BtW I'm 28 so too old for an apprentiship i would have thought.
For me the second option appeals, purely because two years on a fulltime course without any income wold be tricky for me. With that in mind however, i would imagine its nearly impossible to get a job without any experience or exams passed?? How did you guys manage it?
My other question is where the best career prospects are once you are licensed. Whilst I am not going into this for the money, I'd be interested to know whether the pay differs hugely between GA (flying club piston aircraft) and airline work and helicopters.
I'd really like to draw on other people's experiences and hear how they got on and what path they took. Ultimately I'd like to work on the mechanical side rather than the avionic side.
Any pointers would be really appreciated for a 28 year old career changer...?!
Thanks very much in advance
SS