Aircraft Maitance Engineering

[capitaine flam]

My recent experience may help you to decide.

I am a mature student and have just completed a Foundation Degree in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering at Macclesfield College. I am topping up to a BSc in September and will probably continue with a part time Masters in Aeronautical Engineering later on down the line at Manchester Uni for my own satisfaction. The Foundation Degree covers a great amount of info, enough to complete several modules and do the exams for them. I will have to do more self-study to complete the remaining modules. However, what you will be studying at ICAT or Barry College I assume, is similar to what Kingston University is offering. I have a friend who is starting the second year at Kingston and I understand that you study all the modules and take your exams there.

The point is that you will study all the modules and take the exams and do some OJT, but there is NO GUARANTEE of actual work experience and placement or a license handed to you on a plate. The course basically gives you everything but the complete experience required to apply for a license. According to the CAA's Engineer's Licensing Guidance Document, with a BSc, you can pass all the Part-66 modules and " must have at least 3 years experience in a civil aircraft maintenance environment including 6 months of observation of base maintenance tasks." in order to apply for a C license. For a B1 or B2 license, you need to pass the Part-66 modules, and complete an approved Part 147 training course plus two years experience on live aircraft. If you do not have the opportunity to complete a Part 147 approved course, then the experience becomes 5 years. Please download the above Licensing document from the CAA website. All the information is on it.

If you work very hard and come out with good grades, you will have a better chance of being taken on by a Part 145 organisation connected with ICAT.

But before you sigh of disappointment, what I have discovered in this highly closed-door industry (because MRO is indeed a closed-door industry) is that if you are young enough, an apprenticeship is definitely one option. On the other hand, if you can complete a Foundation Degree and then perhaps top it up with a BSc, you will have more opportunity to go into management as well as get a license. So it does give you more career routes.

Another poster pointed out earlier in this thread that one cannot get work placements and work experience with a Part 145 maintenance organisation the UK. THIS IS NOT TRUE. I am currently doing a work placement on line maintenance (and some hangar work) at Manchester airport for the second summer running. The engineers there have been great and really helpful in getting my logbook filled in. I am not getting paid and I am doing it part time as I have to look after children. I wrote in with a CV (a good one) and explained what I was trying to achieve and my goals and asked if I could be let to get some experience. I offered to pay for my airside pass and any other expenses. I have made sure I have turned up with the right PPE. My offer to pay for my airside pass was declined and the company paid for it.

Unfortunately for me, I have not completed an approved Part 147 Basic course, so I have yet to do the hand skills such as wire locking etc, and hopefully this will take place this coming year at the college as a course is being put on for this. But I have replaced tyres and such jobs which has been nice to do and put in the log book. My work experience required will be at least 3 years for a C license and 5 for a B license as I have not done an approved Part 147 course. However, I am told by the Part 145 organisation I am working at the moment that my summer placements should count towards the years, so I may have less than I think to complete.

Also, as mentioned, you can go onto the CAA website and download the Aircraft Maintenance Engineer License Document which explains in very fine details exactly what you need to do exam wise and experience wise. It also explains what you can get credited with if you do a degree rather than an apprenticeship. As also mentioned by another poster, download CAP 741 off the CAA website which tells you all that you need to do.

And finally, I recommend that you build up your contacts and keep asking around you for work experience and placements. Don't give up just because you have been turned down once or twice. If you keep at it and really work for it, I am confident that you can achieve what you want. Don't listen to other people's negative statements about how you can't do this, that and the other. I have made sure that I didn't and went ahead and contacted everyone I could at Manchester and it paid off. Be professional in your appearance and demonstrate competence in your actions even if you are quite new to it all. Get involved in areas such as local aerodromes or aircraft restoration groups if there are any in your area. You'll meet more people and veterans who will hopefully be able to help you.

I have come across a number of individuals who frankly, were I an employer, I would never take on in my hangar. And often they are the ones who tell you how you can't achieve things. Don't give them the time of day. On the other hand, I have come across some fantastic people, both at college and in the industry, who have been absolute gems and have really helped, out of a goodwill to help others. There are many people like that, just make sure you find them!

Just as a final note, I have worked 20 years in a field which has absolutely no connection to aircraft and aviation. I have only entered this field a couple of years ago after being in a position to finally study this, it having been my childhood job of choice. Had I listened to all the negatives, I would have quit by now. I am too old for apprenticeships and decided that a degree on top of it would give me the edge. I got onto the first lot of work placement before I knew the workings of a jet engine or how a hydraulic system worked (I hadn't got to that point in my course yet) and every bit of experience really helped and paid off. This time around, with the second work placement this summer I am getting even more out of it.

So do your research, download the CAA docs that you need and start talking to people! (And I mean talking face to face, NOT through texts or internet. REAL, LIVE COMMUNICATION! THAT IS THE BEST WAY!)